Tauranga drivers are being praised by police because of their improved behaviour during the recent bad weather.

'We're finding we are actually having less crashes at the moment because people are paying more attention to their driving because of the weather conditions,” says Western Bay of Plenty Road policing manager Acting Senior Sergeant Wayne Hunter.

'It's been pretty good.”

While the NZTA is considering closing the Auckland Harbour Bridge later today, if forecast winds of 130-160km/h associated with former Cook eventuate, there are no plans to close the Tauranga Harbour Bridge at this stage.

'No one's even mentioned that,” says Wayne. 'I can't see that happening at all.”

The variable speed signs are activated on SH29 over the Kaimai Range. Speed on the top quarter of the road was reduced to 60km/h yesterday, says Wayne.

'We won't be closing the Kaimai road, we can down grade the speed limit using variable speed signs.”

The conditions are monitored and the speed limit is adjusted.

Wayne advises people to drive to the conditions and watch their following distances

SH25 between Thames and Coromandel remains closed today because of a slip covering both lanes, between Waioumu and Tapu.

Access to Coromandel via the eastern side of the peninsula remains open, but there is a washout at Pumpkin Hill near Sailor's Grave.

Traffic management is in place and there is a 30km/h speed restriction.

Meanwhile, the NZ Transport Agency is warning that if the Auckland Harbour Bridge is closed later today, it will have flow on effects across Auckland.

'If the bridge is closed to traffic … motorists should expect long delays, and avoid travelling if they don't need to,” says Auckland Highway Manager Brett Gliddon.

'We encourage people to think ahead and start planning alternative ways to get home or to their destinations later today and to consider delaying any non-essential travel across the bridge.”

Other road closures

SH2 through the Waimana Gorge is closed as a result of a major slip just east/south of Stanley Road. It's expected to remain closed for some time.

The Pekatahi Bridge is also closed. People are being warned to avoid any unnecessary travel in this region.

SH2 through Edgecumbe remains closed due to flooding.