The New Zealand Transport Agency is asking motorists to be patient as people return home after the long weekend.

Traffic is heavy in both directions on State Highway 1 through Auckland, and a breakdown is blocking part of the Southern Motorway near Takanini, leaving cars bumper to bumper.

North of Wellington, traffic is congested heading south between Manakau to Otaki.

There have been few serious disruptions on the road this weekend.

One person has died on the roads - a motorcyclist who crashed near Opunake in Taranaki on Sunday afternoon.

Last year five people died over Labour Weekend, while the death toll was six in 2017.

ALLOW EXTRA TIME FOR HOLIDAY TRAFFIC DELAYS
As expected traffic delays are now occurring on #SH1 both northbound and southbound this afternoon as holidaymakers arrive the city following Labour weekend. Check our Holiday Journeys tool: https://t.co/tMhQ28qKDP and plan ahead. ^SM pic.twitter.com/nd8mrLnhsM

— NZTA Akld & Nthlnd (@NZTAAkl) October 28, 2019