Stormy weather and serious crashes have caused major disruption on roads throughout the country today ahead of the holiday weekend.
Flooding has closed a highway at Riwaka near Nelson, while a series of crashes have blocked main routes around central and northern New Zealand.
As thousands of travellers prepare to leave for their annual Easter break, roading authorities are cautioning people to drive with care as blustery winds and driving rain makes conditions treacherous.
In Westland, where a state of emergency remains in force, State Highway 6 has reopened to traffic after the Waiho River burst its banks earlier today. But Civil Defence is warning there may be surface flooding and urged people driving on this section of road to take extreme care.
State Highway 60 from Upper Takaka to Collingwood and between Takaka Hill to Riwaka at School Rd intersection has been closed with no detour available.
Authorities expected it to become passable later today.
Elsewhere throughout the South Island, motorists are being urged to drive with caution and slow down in the wet weather.
In the North Island both major highways out of Auckland have been closed at some stage this morning.
State Highway 1 was blocked at Warkworth following a crash between a four-wheel-drive towing a caravan and a truck.
No one was injured and the highway reopened to traffic before lunchtime.
Earlier State Highway 16 was down to one lane at Kumeu after a multi-vehicle crash.
Two people were seriously injured and four had minor injuries as a result of that crash, which involved three cars.
All highways were reopened after the accidents were cleared.
In the middle of the island a small bus carrying 21 passengers rolled at Fitzgerald Glade on State Highway 5 between Tirau and Rotorua.
Four people had to be cut from the wreckage and five were taken to Rotorua Hospital, all in a moderate condition.
The bus was carrying tourists. Those who were not injured were taken to a nearby cafe where they waited to be collected.
NZTA said traffic remained heavy across Auckland and warned travellers to drive with caution.
"Please allow plenty of time for your journey and take extreme care."
Ahead of this weekend's mass exodus the agency was advising motorists to avoid State Highway 1 northbound after work today, SH2 near Tauranga early Friday afternoon and SH1 coming back into Auckland on Monday from midday.
Large numbers are expected to make the most of the continued warm weather and the mostly sunny forecast and head out of the main centres.
More than 20,000 extra vehicles are expected on state highways around the Bay of Plenty and Waikato and traffic was predicted to treble heading from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula.
Auckland and Northern highway manager Brett Gliddon said those factors would make queues and delays inevitable.
"If everyone plans their travel in advance, and thinks about the best time to travel to avoid delays, it will ease stress and reduce the need to hurry, making for a safer and more enjoyable journey."
