KEY POINTS:
A five-car pile-up and the opening of Westfield in Albany contributed to major traffic congestion on the North Shore yesterday.
The full carpark at the shopping centre on Don McKinnon Drive indicated shoppers couldn't wait to check out what will be New Zealand's biggest shopping centre.
Meanwhile, five cars collided at 3.45pm about 9km south on Ocean View Rd in Northcote.
The road was closed for about 45 minutes and motorists were being urged not to go into the Northcote area because of traffic congestion.
The North Shore Strategic Traffic Unit attended.
A St John spokesman said one man had to be cut from a vehicle and was taken to North Shore Hospital with moderate injuries.
Three others suffered minor injuries but were treated at the scene.
Inspector Gary Hill of the police northern communications centre said traffic congestion was heavy in the Albany area because of the opening of Westfield.
Stage one of the mall, which includes 65 stores and 950 carparks, has been completed.
The final stage of the $130 million, 7ha complex will be opened before Christmas.
Sergeant Cecil Ross of the North Shore Strategic Traffic Unit said one car was exiting at a stop sign when it collided with a car coming from the right.
Three other parked cars were hit, as well as a brick pillar and a fence.
"We actually closed the road because it was absolute carnage and we couldn't figure out what was going on," he said.
The driver of the car exiting at the stop sign suffered moderate chest injuries and was taken to North Shore Hospital for a check-up.
