Live: Auckland boundary lifts after months of lockdown

Aucklanders are travelling out of the city as the border around Tamaki Makaurau opens for the first time 120 days.

Police said traffic was flowing freely early this morning.

Waka Kotahi and the police removed checkpoints to the north and south of the region since the midnight change in restrictions.

Spot checks are happening on roads out of the city, at the airport, and at two new checkpoints in Northland.

The new checkpoints were set at Uretiti on SH1 and on SH12 at Maungaturoto, for northbound traffic only.

Anyone. can leave Auckland with proof they are double vaccinated or have recently tested negative for Covid-19.

Transport operators will also be checking on passengers' status.

Even with border restrictions in place, more than 2 million cars have passed through the northern and southern boundaries since the end of August, mostly carrying essential workers.

More than 12,000 Aucklanders are flying out of the city today.

Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran says it is also the first day that all customers are required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test before boarding the plane.

"We're one of the few airlines in the world that actually does this domestically and I'm pleased that we've done it, pleased that we've been able to do it so quickly and in a pretty seamless manner."

Foran says extra security has been brought in as people adjust to the new system.

He says the Air New Zealand crew is really enthusiastic and think it's great to be back.

Auckland border now open with first flights leaving at 6am

Fortress Auckland is no more. The borders which have fenced off the supercity for more than 120 days have finally been lifted.

That means Aucklanders are free to move about the country - as long as they have proof of vaccination or a Covid-19 negative test result.

Police says a queue of around 100 cars were waiting at the main Mercer and Te Hana Borders from 11pm to midnight last night.

It says traffic is now flowing freely, but it expects there to be a build up as normal peak hours hit.

And more than 12,000 Air New Zealand customers are booked to fly in-and-out of Tamaki Makaurau today.

The first flight out of the city this morning took place just after 6am today. Here's the report from RNZ's Jean Bell from Auckland Airport.