22-07-2025
Marae opens doors to stranded drivers after crash blocked SH1 at Manakau
NZ Transport Agency says State Highway 1 between Ōtaki and Levin has reopened after a serious crash but drivers can expect ongoing delays.
Drivers who are waiting for the road to open have been offered a cuppa at Tukorehe Marae.
Photo:
Supplied / Tūkorehe Marae
Earlier, a marae near the scene of crash opened its doors to stuck drivers.
At about 2.30pm, NZTA said northbound queues were back to Ōtaki, and southbound queues were back to Kimberley Road.
Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash near Manakau around 10.20am between Whakahoro and Kuku East Roads, and remain on site.
Earlier police said Te Iwi o Ngāti Tukorehe Marae just north of Manakau opened its doors to drivers waiting for the road to open and was providing cups of tea.
When the highway was still closed, a worker at a nearby business said traffic in the southbound lane was at a standstill.
"It's very quiet and the traffic has just stopped. You can hear people's voices rather than the drone of the traffic.
"There's a line of traffic - trucks, cars - nothing travelling north."
They thought it was "fabulous" that the nearby marae had opened its doors to waiting drivers.
Earlier this month, members of the Horowhenua-based iwi Ngāti Tukorehe said they would
fly their flags even higher
along State Highway 1 after what they said was a "racist" attack after several of the Tino Rangatira flags were ripped down.
A social media post on Tuesday said marae members were "offering manaaki in the form of water and access to whare paku to those stuck in traffic".
"Know us before you judge us. Caring for others is in our blood," it said.
Police urged drivers travelling through the area to be patient and drive carefully.
Flags outside Tukorehe Marae.
Photo:
Supplied / Tipi Wehipeihana
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