Four-car crash creates 17km tailback

A four-car crash in peak-hour last night reduced traffic to a snail's pace and caused a tailback of about 17km on Auckland's Southern Motorway.

All three northbound lanes near Ellerslie were blocked when a Nissan Skyline hit the median barrier and collided with three other cars about 6.05pm.

One person was transported to Auckland Hospital with minor injuries.

Their age and gender were unknown last night.

Police northern communications centre spokesman, Inspector Lance Burdett, said the outer two lanes were cleared by 6.55pm.

One of the cars had spun around during the collision to face the other way.

Police issued a warning asking motorists to avoid the area but a New Zealand Transport Authority online traffic report at 7pm said traffic was congested from the Te Irirangi Rd turnoff at Manukau up to the Hobson St exit in the city - a distance of about 17km.

The last lane was reopened at 7.05pm.

Motorist Fati Tapaleao was heading home to Birkenhead after finishing work in Manukau when he became stuck in traffic for about 20 minutes, about 50m from the crash site.

The 27-year-old said the Skyline was moderately dented on one side and the windows were smashed.

A group of people had rushed to help the male driver out of the Skyline.

"He looked a bit embarrassed but he looked okay, he was able to walk."

A grey car which looked "pretty banged up" had come to a stop in front of the Skyline with other cars involved in the crash behind the two vehicles, Mr Tapaleao said.