Car fire on Auckland Southern Motorway, traffic snarled as smoke billows across lanes

NZTA said the southbound left lane remains blocked but a tow-truck is now on site.

UPDATE 1:55PM
Due to the car fire, the southbound left lane remains BLOCKED after Grafton Rd on-ramp. Tow truck is now on-site. Road users are advised to continue expecting DELAYS. ^SG https://t.co/WSMBe8nh7r

— NZ Transport Agency – Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) September 5, 2025

Traffic is backed up to the Harbour Bridge heading north, St Luke’s interchange on the Northwestern Motorway and back to Sylvia Park on the Southern Motorway heading north.

Traffic is backed up in three directions after the crash. Picture / Google maps

Motorists were told to expect delays in the area.

Sign up to Herald Premium Editor’s Picks, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday. Editor-in-Chief Murray Kirkness picks the week’s best features, interviews and investigations. Sign up for Herald Premium here.