Plan ahead to stay safe on the roads

That's the message from the New Zealand Transport Agency -- as holiday makers hit the road to make the most of the long weekend.

Waka Kotahi is anticipating high volumes of traffic on Auckland and Northland state highways.

The Transport Agency's predicting traffic to be heavy between three and seven PM today -- as people head north from Auckland.

The Southern Motorway's expected to be busiest between 11:30 and 7:30 this evening.

Police say, because travel is restricted to our own backyard due to the pandemic, there will be more traffic on our roads than usual.

They're urging travellers all across the country to plan ahead, buckle up and drive to the conditions.