Police have blocked off an inner-city Auckland street after a suspicious substance was found in the carpark of a building that houses the US Consular General and other diplomatic offices.

A driver ran from his car sobbing and yelling: "I checked the road, I checked and it was clear," witnesses say.

Breakdown in the middle lane of State Highway 1 near the Symonds Street offramp. Video / NZTA

Y'know, I think I'm starting to figure Auckland out. I've only lived here for 30-odd years, but finally I'm starting to get a handle on how the city runs itself. I'm not talking here about anything to do with the Super City concept.

Road workers were shocked when they saw children playing on a motorway overpass in South Auckland last Thursday.