Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
The holidays are nearly here, but rest assured the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) media team will be on call to help during the 2024/25 Christmas/New Year break.
During the holidays your primary NZTA media contacts will be:
The Ministry of Transport will be providing updates on holiday road toll data throughout the break. Further background and historical crash data for the holiday period can be found at:
Holiday periods | Ministry of Transport(external link)
As always, the best source for real-time traffic information during the holidays is the NZTA Journey Planner:
Highway conditions | NZTA Journey Planner(external link)
NZTA has also crunched some data from previous holiday periods to compile a list of likely holiday congestion hotspots to help drivers plan ahead to avoid the queues.
Holiday hotspots | NZTA Journey Planner(external link)
Getting there safely – top tips for safe holiday driving
Plan ahead. Get your vehicle checked before you head out, plan to avoid peak traffic where you can and give yourself enough time to take plenty of rest or sightseeing breaks along the way. It’s your holiday after all, so why not make the journey an enjoyable part of it?
Drive to the conditions. Check the weather forecast before leaving home, as well as our real-time traffic updates for any incidents or closures. This isn’t just about weather conditions—it’s about the road you’re on, the traffic, your vehicle and load, your speed, your following distance, and adjusting your driving for wet and windy conditions.
Weather warnings | MetService(external link)
Watch out for fatigue. Long trips are tiring and fatigue can be deadly behind the wheel. Get a good night’s sleep beforehand, plan in advance where you’ll take breaks along the way, and be aware of any medication you’re taking that might affect your driving.
Keep your cool. Holiday driving can be frustrating with busy roads, stifling heat and restless kids in the car. So please, be courteous and patient while on the roads. Don’t get provoked by other drivers’ aggressive behaviour, and wait to overtake until you get to a passing lane or can see enough clear road ahead of you to do it safely. And be sure to take enough games, books, or electronics to keep the kids occupied along the way.
Buckle up. Don’t let your family holiday be marred by tragedy simply because someone didn’t buckle up. If you’re the driver, you are legally responsible for making sure all passengers under the age of 15 are securely restrained with either a safety belt or child restraint. Children must be properly restrained by an approved child restraint until their 7th birthday.
Don’t drink and drive. Your judgement and reaction times begin to deteriorate after even one drink. Keep it simple – if you’re going to drink, don’t drive.
