Traffic chaos causing headache for thousands heading to Waitangi ...

Traffic chaos has caused a headache for Kiwis as they head to Waitangi Day celebrations.

Thousands descended on Pēwhairangi/Bay of Islands on Tuesday to attend the dozens of events being held at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Earlier in the day, police asked motorists heading to Waitangi Treaty Grounds to use Puketona Rd.

"There is heavy traffic congestion around Waitangi and surrounding areas," a police spokesperson said.

They urged people to use the car park and shuttle buses at Bledisloe Domain on Haruru Falls Rd.

One person told Newshub they waited more than an hour to get from Kerikeri to Haruru.

"We decided to turn around and recorded a video on the way back of the traffic, there were cars overtaking others almost causing accidents," they said.

The New Zealand Herald reported Google Maps was telling drivers to navigate through private properties on back roads, such as Wakelins Road, to get to Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Motorists reportedly went through farm gates and drove across unmarked roads to skip the huge queues on the main route on Puketona Rd.

A police spokesperson told Newhub they have staff in the area helping to manage traffic, and giving advice to those unfamiliar with the area.

"Police will make enquiries into reports of traffic offences and other incidents as they arise," they added.

Traffic almost backed up to Kerikeri at one point in the day, 25km away.

Hundreds had earlier gathered before dawn for a hīkoi towards Te Tii Marae and the upper Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

The hīkoi departed from Te Rerenga Wairua/Cape Reinga on Friday on the near-200km journey.

"Two, four, six, eight, this Government is out the gate," they chanted as they arrived following speeches by politicians, religious and community leaders.

Karakia and waiata echoed throughout Waitangi for the dawn service on Tuesday morning.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

At the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, there is everything on offer from kapa haka, opera, to DJs, hip hop and reggae, as well as dancers and other performers all day.

Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland

Traffic queues are currently snaking around Parrs Park in Oratia/Glen Eden for the Waitangi@Waititi free concert, organised by Te Whānau o Waipareira.

It kicked off at 9am with a pōwhiri, to welcome guests for the 10th annual event. More than 50,000 attended last year.

Artists performing include Katchafire, Kora, Illumingāti, Tiki Taane, Aaradhna, Sons of Sion and more.

Elsewhere, the Manukau Urban Māori Authority put on a separate whānau-friendly concert at the Manukau Sports Bowl which finished at 3pm.

Pōneke / Wellington

In the capital, thousands have flocked to Wellington City Council's whānau-friendly event at Waitangi Park, called Te Rā o Waitangi.

The council has organised a line-up of multicultural performances, stalls, and delicious kai until 6pm.

Ōtautahi / Christchurch 

In Ōtautahi/Christchurch, Waitangi Day commemorations were held at Kawatea/Okains Bay.

A pōwhiri opened the day of entertainment, with all-day displays, kai, and family fun, with waka arriving after midday.

The celebrations at Kawatea/Okains Bay are the longest-running in Te Waipounamu/the South Island.

General traffic

In north Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, traffic is starting to build around Silverdale, currently taking about 50 minutes to drive south from Warkworth to Albany according to Google Maps.

Waka Kotahi NZTA said a breakdown on State Highway 1 in central Auckland had blocked a lane just before 2pm, but it was cleared within 30 minutes.