State Highway 25 is closed at Whiritoa, where a fallen tree is blocking the road.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says contractors are on site to remove the tree and expect to reopen the road in the next hour or so.

Motorists are encouraged to delay their travel where possible, as the detour route, via State Highway 2 from Waihi to Paeroa, State Highway 26 from Paeroa to Kopu, State Highway 25A from Kopu to Hikuai and State Highway 25 from Hikuai to Whiritoa (reverse for travel from Whiritoa to Waihi), is likely to take longer than it is expected to take to reopen the road.

A traveller stuck on the highway says traffic is bumper to bumper.

"We have been told that it could be up to two hours before the highway is open."

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)