Labour Weekend is the first big riding weekend of spring – and one of the busiest weekends on our roads. This guide tells you when to ride, where to go, which roads to avoid and how to get your bike ready.
In a hurry? Here’s the plan
- Ride on Sunday if you can – it’s the quietest day.
- Avoid Friday afternoon and Monday midday on main highways.
- Pick a quieter road from our six rides below.
- Check your bike before you go – it may have sat all winter.
- Ride carefully – police won’t give warnings this weekend.
Labour Day is Monday 26 October 2026. Traffic times are based on NZTA’s 2025 predictions; check the NZTA Journey Planner for the latest before you leave.
When to ride
How busy the main highways are expected to be each day.
Simple rule: leave before 9am or after 7pm, and ride against the holiday traffic – away from the beaches on Friday, towards them on Monday.
Where to ride
Six great roads, from easy cruises to remote back-country.
Coromandel Loop
Coastal bends and bush-clad hills on SH25 and SH25A. Ride it Saturday or Sunday to miss the queues. Full route guide →
Watch for: holiday traffic, slips after rain
Raglan and Kāwhia
West from Hamilton on SH23 to Raglan, then quiet back roads south to Kāwhia. Most holiday traffic heads east, not west.
Watch for: narrow roads, gravel on side roads
Forgotten World Highway (SH43)
Stratford to Taumarunui through hill saddles and a single-lane tunnel. Almost no traffic.
Watch for: short gravel section, little fuel, no mobile coverage
Waioeka Gorge (SH2)
Ōpōtiki to Gisborne beside the river through native bush. Light traffic, even on a long weekend.
Watch for: logging trucks, damp shaded corners
Akatarawa Road
Upper Hutt to Kāpiti – a tight, twisty alternative to the busy Remutaka Hill. Best ridden early.
Watch for: very narrow, blind bends
Lewis Pass (SH7)
Waipara to Reefton – fast sweeping bends, beech forest and alpine views.
Watch for: snow and ice in late October – pack winter gloves
Roads to avoid (and when)
Tap your region to see the expected traffic hotspots.
Auckland & Northland
| Road | Avoid |
|---|---|
| SH1 Pūhoi – Wellsford (north) | Fri 1–6:30pm, Sat 11:30am–1pm |
| SH1 Pūhoi – Wellsford (south) | Mon late afternoon |
| SH1 Manukau – Bombay (south) | Fri 10am–6pm |
Waikato & Coromandel
| Road | Avoid |
|---|---|
| SH2 Paeroa – Waihī (east) | Fri 2:30–5:30pm |
| SH2 Paeroa – Waihī (west) | Mon 9:30–10:30am |
| SH2 Pōkeno – Maramarua (west) | Mon 11:30am–3pm |
| SH25 Tairua (south) | Mon 10:30am–1pm |
Bay of Plenty
| Road | Avoid |
|---|---|
| SH2 Tauranga – Katikati (south) | Fri 4–6pm |
| SH29 Kaimai Range | Peak times, both ways |
Lower North Island
| Road | Avoid |
|---|---|
| SH1 Ōhau | Fri 2:30–5:30pm (north), Mon 1:30–3pm (south) |
| SH1 Taihape – Waiouru | Fri evening (north), Mon 12–5pm (south) |
| SH3 Mt Messenger (north) | Mon 12:30–2:30pm |
| SH2 Remutaka Hill | Sat 10am–1pm (north), Mon 11:30am–3:30pm (south) |
South Island
| Road | Avoid |
|---|---|
| SH6 Queenstown | Fri afternoon, Mon late morning |
| SH8 Tarras (south) | Mon 10am–2pm |
| SH1 Timaru, SH1 Waipara, SH79 Geraldine | Mon afternoon |
| SH63 St Arnaud (south) | Mon around lunchtime |
Stuck in a queue? This is where riders get hurt – cars pull out to overtake without looking, or U-turn without warning. Pull over for a coffee and let it clear.
Get your bike ready
Tick these off before you leave – it takes about 15 minutes.
- Tyres: correct pressure (when cold), good tread, no cracks
- Brakes and levers: firm feel, throttle snaps back
- Lights: headlight, brake light, indicators, horn
- Fluids: engine oil, brake fluid, coolant – no leaks
- Chain: correct tension and lubed
- WoF and rego: both current
Note: new WoF rules start on 1 November 2026.
Ride safe
Spring roads have their own surprises.
- Loose gravelStay off the dusty line through corners.
- Fresh chipsealSlippery and stones fly – slow down, leave a big gap.
- Cold tyresTake the first few kilometres easy on early starts.
- Wet shady cornersBush roads can stay damp all day.
- Stock on the roadIt’s lambing and calving season.
- TirednessStop every 1–2 hours, drink water, don’t overdo the kilometres.
Police are out in force. The holiday period normally runs from 4pm Friday to 6am Tuesday, and police have said there’ll be no warnings for speeding, drink or drug driving, or distraction. Labour Weekend 2024 ended with no road deaths – let’s do it again.
Riding with mates? Agree on the route and stops first, ride staggered on open roads and single file in the twisties, and keep newer riders near the front. An intercom helps – see our intercom comparison. Weather turning? Read riding in NZ rain and wind.
Before you leave
- Check the NZTA Journey Planner
- Check the MetService forecast
- Tell someone your route and return time
- Fill up whenever you can on rural roads
- Book accommodation early
Enjoy the ride. Choose a quiet road, avoid the peak times, and Labour Weekend could be your best ride of the year. Planning the full Coromandel trip? Read our Coromandel Loop guide.