There was a massive disruption on Auckland’s Southern Motorway during this morning’s rush due to an “incident”, police say. 

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said all northbound lanes were temporarily blocked between Cavendish Drive and East Tamaki Rd. 

“Consider using SH20 and expect delays,” the agency wrote. 

The lanes reopened at 8.30am. 

A police spokesperson said emergency services were on the scene of the “police incident” and motorists should expect delays. 

SH1 SOUTHERN MWY - 7:50AM
Due to a police incident on #SH1 the two right northbound lanes are temporarily blocked northbound between Cavendish Dr and East Tamaki Rd. Allow extra time to your journey. ^HJ pic.twitter.com/ji2FAVUtpG

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) June 23, 2024

Meanwhile, 18 regional flights were cancelled and another 18 flights delayed after thick fog descended on Auckland overnight. 

Heavy fog has also shrouded much of the city’s motorway network, making driving difficult, and is delaying ferry services. 

Flight restrictions were put in place shortly before 3am, Auckland Airport said in a statement. 

The airport said as of 8.55am, 27 domestic regional flights have been cancelled and 24 domestic regional flights have been delayed, due to the fog. 

No international flights or main-trunk domestic flights to Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin or Queenstown were affected as of 7.30am. 

However, flights to Christchurch and Queenstown had been cancelled for reasons unrelated to the fog, an airport spokesperson said. 

Passengers are advised to check the airport’s website or app for the latest information on their flight. 

Fog covering the Viaduct in central Auckland overnight. Photo / Hayden Woodward 

Auckland Transport said the fog had caused delays to some ferry services to and from downtown Auckland, including Bayswater, Hobsonville and Beach Haven, Gulf Harbour, Pine Harbour and Birkenhead ferries. A number of sailings were cancelled or 30 minutes or more late. 

It also said all sailings were experiencing 30-minute delays and some cancellations. 

Video taken from the Hobsonville ferry terminal about 7.20am shows pea-soup fog covering the water, with low visibility.