Tāmaki Drive incident update Tāmaki Drive incident update

Date: 23 October 2025

AT continues to support NZ Police, Fire and Emergency NZ and our bus operator, Kinetic to respond to last night’s incident on Tāmaki Drive, which has resulted in a death. 

Bus operator Kinetic has confirmed one of its bus drivers has passed away. 

“Our thoughts are with the driver’s whānau, friends and Kinetic at this time,” says Stacey van der Putten, AT Director Public Transport and Active Modes. 

“It is a tragic incident that has resulted in loss of life of a valued bus driver who was providing a service for Aucklanders.” 

Emergency services are still investigating this incident. 

Reopening the road is complex due to the removal of the vehicles and ensuring the road surface is safe to reopen.  

Road maintenance crews are on standby to help repair any damage to the road. AT is hopeful this can be achieved ahead of the Friday morning peak travel period, however this is dependent on a number of factors and public and road safety will not be compromised. 

We will provide further updates as soon as possible. 

Road closures and public transport for the rest of the day    

Tāmaki Drive will remain closed to all modes of transport between Ngāpipi Rd and The Strand for the rest of the day. There are no impacts to train services.  

Motorists and bus passengers are advised to expect significant delays during the evening peak and should consider alternative routes and avoiding travel where possible.  

Traffic heading towards the city (including buses) is detouring via Ngāpipi road and congestion is high in the Eastern Suburbs and at the Green Lane motorway interchange. There is heavy northbound traffic on the Southern Motorway and this is likely to increase and include southbound traffic during the evening peak.  

Bus routes 76, 774, 775, TMK are detouring via Orakei Road, Shore Road and Parnell Road.  

Freight access to the port at Solent Street remains open.