40-minute queues: Drivers warned to expect delays when IKEA opens in Auckland

Traffic Impact of IKEA Opening in Auckland

Auckland's first IKEA store is set to open at Sylvia Park on December 4, 2025, and drivers are being warned to anticipate significant traffic delays. Auckland Transport and NZTA Waka Kotahi predict that congestion will cause queues of 40 minutes or more to exit the motorway at Mt Wellington. Additionally, there could be hour-long waits to enter IKEA car parks. This situation is expected to not only impact the immediate Sylvia Park area but also cause delays on surrounding streets such as Mt Wellington Highway during peak traffic times.

Authorities’ Advice for Road Users

Authorities recommend that road users plan their trips in advance and allow extra travel time when visiting the area during the opening and the following weeks or months. Traffic modeling indicates that in the worst-case scenario, substantial queues will be present both on the motorway and on local roads around the new store.

"We expect the opening day, and subsequent weeks or even months to draw big crowds to the Sylvia Park area, and for this to have a substantial effect on the transport network both locally and across Auckland," said Claire Howard, Auckland Transport Operations Centre Manager.
"Travel times across the wider Auckland transport network are likely to be substantially longer than usual, and our traffic modelling shows that in a worst-case scenario, there could be 40-minute-plus queues to exit the motorway at Mt Wellington and wait times of up to an hour to get into car parks at IKEA."

Summary of Expected Delays

These warnings emphasize the scale of disruption the IKEA opening is likely to cause and remind drivers to prepare accordingly.

This detailed warning shows the significant impact a major retail opening can have on local traffic, necessitating proactive planning from both authorities and the public to manage travel times effectively.

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RNZ on MSN RNZ on MSN — 2025-11-28

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