KEY POINTS:
Aucklanders face a smorgasbord of entertainment riches throughout today and into the night, but the police are urging pleasure-seekers to plan their trips sensibly to survive the traffic with a grin rather than a grimace.
Although the main chokepoint will be the Northwestern Motorway and other approaches to the world's biggest free family event - Pasifika Festival at Western Springs with an expected crowd of up to 200,000 - there will be plenty of traffic challenges from the free festival at the Domain (up to 60,000 expected) and the rugby (20,000).
Transit northern operations manager Joseph Flanagan said although delays would be inevitable on various parts of the motorway network today, he believed traffic would keep flowing steadily through Spaghetti Junction from the Harbour Bridge.
Large electronic signs would encourage motorists heading for the Ellerslie races, the first of which starts at 12.15pm, to use the second of two Southern Motorway off-ramps - to Tecoma St - to take pressure off the Greenlane exit.
Driving tips
Waitemata highway patrol police chief Bill Russell says anyone travelling to a big event should plan as if for a long-distance expedition.
"They should be patient, expect delays and make sure they have plenty of food and fluids aboard," is his basic survival tip.
"There are going to be delays, there are going to be hungry kids, and people should make sure their cars are up to standard."
The main event on Mr Russell's patch will be the Kumeu Show.
Organisers expect a fine weekend will attract about 30,000 people on each of its two days, mainly up the Northwestern Motorway and along State Highway 16.
But their advice for a faster trip is to peel off the highway and loop around Taupaki, or even to avoid the motorway in favour of a rural jaunt through Swanson and Waitakere.
Avoiding the motorway and taking shuttle buses is the tip from transport authorities for those heading to the Pasifika festival.
Restrictions
No right turns will allowed from the motorway off-ramp at St Lukes, and Auckland City Council is reducing traffic capacity to one general lane in each direction - and a westbound bus lane - along Gt South Rd between Motions Rd and St Lukes Rd.
That is to make crossings safer for pedestrians, and the road section will be closed to all traffic except stall-holders and emergency vehicles from 5am to 9.15am, before the Pasifika festival opens at 10am. But motorists will be offered parking at Unitec in Carrington Rd, and bus shuttles from there to the festival - both for free.
Buses
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority has also arranged a special Stagecoach bus shuttle from Newmarket, to complement regular services from the central city, although for staged fares.
As evening approaches, the focus of bus shuttles will move to the Domain, to which $2 services will run every 20 minutes from Britomart between 4pm and 7.20pm for the Auckland Festival opening.
Ritchies buses leaving Albany at 5.50pm, 6.10pm and 6.30pm will run to the Domain for the same fares as services terminating at Britomart.
Buses will make return trips, both to the Domain and to North Shore City, from 9.40pm.
Shuttle buses will also run in a loop of arterial roads around Eden Park and extra trains have been scheduled for rugby fans, although western line duplication work means buses will shuttle passengers between the Waitakere and New Lynn railway stations.
Ferries
The regular 9.30pm Fullers ferry sailing to Waiheke will be delayed until 10.15pm for young families wanting to enjoy the fireworks without having to wait for the last service of the night at 11.45. Auckland City Council events promotion manager Annabel Lush said most events were annual fixtures, with a good track record for traffic management. She was confident public enjoyment would outweigh any hassles.
