People travelling across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty this Easter are being urged to plan ahead, with heavy traffic expected throughout the extra‑long holiday weekend.

This year, Easter Monday coincides with the school holidays, meaning roads are likely to be busier than usual, NZ Transport Agency said.

“Congestion and delays are inevitable during peak holiday periods, and drivers are reminded to be patient, pack snacks and water, drive to the conditions and stick to the speed limit,” the roading agency said.

“Traffic volumes are expected to be particularly high on Thursday, April 2, and Friday, April 3, with return‑journey congestion likely on Monday, April 6."

In the Bay of Plenty, motorists should prepare for heavy traffic on State Highway 2 (SH2) between Paeroa and Waihī, Tauranga and Katikati, as well as on State Highway 29 (SH29) over the Kaimai Range.

In the Waikato, delays are forecast on State Highway 1 (SH1) between Tīrau and Karāpiro, SH2 from Pōkeno to Maramarua, and around Tairua on State Highway 25 (SH25).

Ongoing road maintenance

NZTA said some roadworks may be postponed due to rain or other factors that disrupt weekly schedules, and other less disruptive state highway works may not be listed below.

“Drivers are encouraged to check the NZTA Journey Planner and Waka Kotahi social media channels for the latest travel information and journey times before setting off.”

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty

SH29 Hamilton to Tauranga: Due to the number of worksites between Hinuera and Tauriko, drivers should allow up to 20 minutes of additional travel time.

Work starting next week

SH29 and Ōmanawa Road intersection: For one night this week, stop/go traffic management and a reduced 30km/h speed limit will be in place between 7pm and 6am while night works are carried out. Drivers are asked to take extra care.

Work starting soon

SH29 Tauriko: To allow for significant stormwater and underground services upgrades, a short section of the westbound (towards Hamilton) lane of SH29 between the SH29/SH36 Takitimu Drive roundabout and Cambridge Road will be closed 24/7 from 6pm, Wednesday, April 8, to 6am, Monday, April 13.

Westbound traffic will detour via SH36, Paraone Koikoi Drive, Matakokiri Drive and Kaweroa Drive. This will add about five minutes to Hamilton‑bound journeys and eight minutes to Tauriko Village or Cambridge Road trips. There will be no right turn into Cambridge Road from SH29 during the closure, with left‑in access only via the detour. Left and right turns out will remain available.

The work has been scheduled during the school holidays to reduce disruption, with crews working 24/7. Once complete, the next stage will include installation of new stormwater pipes and catchpits, with shoulder closures and lane shifts from mid‑April.

SH29 Tauriko Village: After 18 months of construction on the northern side of SH29, traffic is expected to be shifted onto the newly widened section in mid‑April. This temporary layout will provide one lane in each direction while work continues on the southern side. Access to homes and businesses will be maintained via a temporary road.

SH2 Snodgrass Rd to Loop Rd: Road resurfacing will take place over three nights from Monday, April 6, between 8pm and 5am near Ainsworth Rd. Stop/go traffic management and reduced speed limits will apply at night, with a temporary 50km/h limit during the day due to an uneven surface.

SH2 Mirrielees Rd off‑ramp: The Mirrielees Road off‑ramp will close overnight between 8pm and 5am for resurfacing. Traffic will be detoured via the Chapel Street off‑ramp and Marsh Street. Dates are yet to be confirmed.

Work underway

SH29 Kaimai Range – Ruahihi Bluffs: Stabilisation works near the Ruahihi Power Station will continue until late April. Overnight stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed limit remain in place.

SH29 Ōmanawa Bridge: Construction is ongoing near the Hamilton‑bound edge of SH29 between Ōmanawa Bridge and the Ōmanawa Rd intersection. The Hamilton‑bound lane has been shifted, with shoulder closures and the left‑turn slip lane into Ōmanawa Rd closed. Further temporary traffic management is planned.

SH29 Tauriko: Construction continues along the northern side of SH29 through Tauriko Village, with shoulder closures, temporary speed limits and mobile traffic management as required. The slip lane from SH29 onto Takitimu Drive Toll Rd remains closed on weekdays between 9.30am and 3.30pm for drainage works, expected to continue for another two weeks.

SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Rd: A reduced speed limit of 70km/h remains in place while crews work behind barriers on the Takitimu North Link flyover bridge and southbound slip lane.

SH2/SH29 Takitimu Drive: Traffic is currently diverted onto temporary northbound lanes towards Mount Maunganui and Tauranga CBD until May to allow construction of new lanes. SH29 traffic to Fifteenth Avenue is detoured via SH2 Takitimu Drive and Elizabeth Street.

SH2/15th Ave: One lane remains closed near Edgecumbe Road while work continues on the new connection to SH29 and Takitimu Drive Toll Road. This is expected to remain until mid‑2026.

SH33 south of Paengaroa: Road resurfacing near Allport Rd is underway between 6am and 6pm on weekdays, with stop/go traffic management and reduced speed limits in place until mid‑April.

SH2 Pahoia/Esdaile intersection: Road widening is underway, with speed restrictions and intermittent stop/go traffic management causing possible delays.

SH2 Ōmokoroa Rd intersection: Construction of the new roundabout is nearing completion, with speed restrictions and intermittent stop/go traffic management in place.

Minden Rd North: Traffic management will remain in place between the new roundabout and Te Puna shops through to April 2026 while road widening, drainage and pavement works continue.