Ask Phoebe: Exit countdown works from far reaches of north

Gillies Ave is Exit 431 because it is 431km from Cape Reinga. Photo / Richard Robinson

Why are the Auckland motorway exits not numbered consecutively? I recently travelled on the Southern Motorway and expected the offramp numbers to be in consecutive order, but not so. Why is this? Hilary Smith, Glenfield.

Cast your eyes northward for this one. The numbers are based on the distance in kilometres from the beginning of State Highway 1 at Cape Reinga.

Thus the Silverdale exit is Exit 398, Gillies Ave is 431, and so on southwards.

The Northwestern (SH16) calculation begins at the Port of Auckland, and the Southwestern (SH20) at its intersection with SH1. There are some double-ups - there are two Exit 2s, for example, on different motorways - but the names are there to assist the confused.

And isn't it going to be interesting when the numbering gets to Wellington? Exit 1098, anyone?

And, continuing the theme: Now that the numbers on the motorway exits are clearly visible, is it possible to buy a map which shows these numbers? Hans Zuur, Tauranga.

When the Transport Agency introduced the numbering system in 2005, map companies were given the information to use on new maps.

The larger-format Kiwimaps include the numbers, but smaller versions with less space don't.

Some AA map books have dedicated pages that show the motorway networks and the exit numbers.

But if you are planning your trip online, wises.co.nz has the relevant exit numbers in the driving instructions.

Can you ascertain who is responsible for looking after the patches of garden/island/land (not sure what to call it) at the motorway end of Nelson/Hobson Sts and then stir them into action? These are very untidy and weedy and messy, which must give a poor impression to those driving into Auckland from the south. Surely we can present a better image than this. Helen Skelton, St Marys Bay.

Your wish is their command. The Auckland Motorway Alliance, who are the folk who look after the Auckland motorway network on behalf of the Transport Agency, have already sent someone out to have a look and a tidy up.

The green areas in and around the network are kept as weed-, graffiti- and litter-free as possible, and this particular area was on the list to be done in the next couple of weeks. Thanks to your letter, Ms Skelton, that's been brought forward. The power of the pen, it seems.

As a daily user of Taharoto Rd I find the southern side of the road between Northcote and Shakespeare Rds to be in bad repair. Even though I drive a late-model car I am disturbed by the vibration caused when driving over badly exposed metal chip. Is there any expectation of repair to this quite dangerous area? Barney Lucas, Forrest Hill.

The contract that the council has with the road-repair people includes both the widening of the southbound carriageway and resurfacing of the road, both north and south, between Shea Terrace and the MetlifeCare building. This will be done in June/July.