Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and police are urging motorists on SH1 between Whangarei and Auckland to be extra careful; a shipping diversion means there will be a dozen trucks an hour taking containers from Whangarei into Auckland city. 

The trucks began departing Northport from 6:00 am on Friday, December11th and will continue from 6:00 a.m. to midnight until next Friday, December 18th. There will be 12 trucks leaving every hour. The traffic won't all be one way: empty trucks will be returning to Northport to pick up a new load.

Waka Kotahi vehicle compliance officers, Worksafe and the officers from the police commercial vehicle safety team will be on the route to ensure that there is no added danger due to these trucks. 

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency regional director, Steve Mutton, said motorists should plan more time for their journeys.

"We expect the roads to be busy in the lead-up to Christmas and there are only a few passing lane opportunities on the route. We ask motorists to be patient and give trucks space on the road for the safety of all road users.

"There may be delays on SH1 next week, and all drivers need to factor that into their plans. Trying to 'make up lost time' by speeding and unsafe overtaking puts everyone using the road at risk."