Supermarket chains are counting millions of dollars in damaged stock as they ship in groceries to cover shortages and access lost to distribution centres.

Skydive NZ's John Kerr says he's "absolutely devastated and numbed" by the Fox Glacier crash that claimed the lives of more than a third of his staff.

Transport accident investigators are confident they will find "most, if not all", of the reasons for the Fox Glacier plane crash, despite fire causing massive damage to the aircraft.

The deaths of five local men and four overseas tourists makes it one of New Zealand's deadliest plane crashes.

Aucklanders stayed off the roads last night as authorities shut the busiest stretch of motorway in the country.

Organisers of the country's largest motorway closure are praying they have scared enough Aucklanders off the roads this weekend to avoid the city grinding to a halt.

Auckland City Council says it will now treat motorists more leniently and fairly and will push lawmakers to cut the $150 fines nearly in half.