Motorists heading out of Wellington face a nightmare two-hour gridlock north of the capital.

It was a beautiful Boxing Day to be outside but the lure of heavy discounts was too strong thousands who paced the malls on the hunt for a bargain.

Keep an eye on traffic conditions as they unfold through the Herald's live blog.

Little black pig's bid for freedom slows Christmas traffic.

Here is a list of traffic hot spot areas to avoid.

An elderly woman has died after being hit by a car in Takapuna, on Auckland's North Shore. She is believed to be the first person killed in holiday period.

Driver fined for driving on the "completely wrong side of the road".

Traffic has already slowed to a crawl in parts of the country as holidaymakers head out of town for Christmas.

​A person has died from a heart attack while in Christmas traffic near Wellington.

Aucklanders are being urged to plan ahead to avoid delays if they are getting away for the Christmas break.

A boy is in critical condition after being hit by a car in Whangarei this afternoon.

An overhead traffic light pole that crashed into the middle of a busy intersection may have been suffering from earthquake stress.

Just four sleeps until Christmas, and things are officially crazy. Winter storms have cancelled an estimated 400 flights at this US airport.

Billowing smoke from a house fire is affecting visibility on Auckland's Southwestern Motorway this morning.

Four businesses caught in the disruption of building Auckland's new underground railway have asked for compensation.

A Wellington kitten had a close shave this morning after becoming trapped in rush-hour traffic.

Auckland Airport chief Adrian Littlewood says they're spending $1m a day on infrastructure, but warns travellers need to allow more time to get to the airport.

Auckland Airport users are increasingly frustrated with the journey to and through the airport and are venting and suggesting solutions to congestion.

A police car involved in a crash with a truck on State Highway 1 this morning was on its way to provide urgent back-up in Hamilton.

Holidaymakers are spending the same amount of time driving to and from Auckland Airport as the international flights they are catching.

Police are at a serious car crash on Dairy Flat Highway where three people have been hurt.

Two children suffered minor injuries after the school bus they were on collided with a van on State Highway One north of Auckland.

Queues starting at Hobsonville are giving commuters a miserable drive into town.

Canterbury's Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to drive with caution while the Lewis Pass alternate highway (State Highway 7)

A car crash and a bus breakdown has led to traffic crawling through Auckland's central motorway at lunchtime.

Today I'm using my pen (computer actually) as a wand to defend Harry Potter. I know I wrote about Brian Tamaki a few weeks ago but

Motorists travelling the alternative route between Christchurch and Picton have been caught up in heavy congestion today, as traffic pressure mounts on the post-quake thoroughfare.

New research has revealed not only the day but also the exact time you're most likely to be involved in a car crash. Get ready.

Puzzled roadworkers got a surprise when they learned who was playing with their cones.

Police deny chasing a white hatchback through West Auckland yesterday, saying police vehicles attended the incident after the car was located by helicopter.