Motorists experienced severe traffic congestion near Auckland Airport as the opening of the new Mānawa Bay outlet mall in Māngere drew large crowds, The New Zealand Herald reported. Despite extensive traffic management plans, including an event team on-site, frustration mounted as delays built up on key routes, including Auckland Airport Motorway and George Bolt Memorial Drive.
The $200 million Mānawa Bay premium outlet centre opened on Thursday, and despite efforts by Auckland Airport and the mall to minimise disruption, motorists took to social media to express their frustrations. Many blamed poor city planning for the traffic woes, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) suggesting travellers heading to the airport leave 45 minutes earlier.
Shoppers praised the range of stores at the outlet but highlighted the traffic chaos. “It’s crazy busy. Traffic is delaying people getting to the airport, so allow an extra 30 minutes,” one Facebook user said.
An Auckland Airport spokeswoman acknowledged the delays, stating that traffic was a major consideration during the mall's opening weekend. However, she noted that there had been no flight delays due to the congestion and expected traffic patterns to normalise soon. “Our priority is ensuring travellers reach their flights on time,” she added.
The mall’s opening hours (10 a.m.–7 p.m.) were planned to avoid peak travel times, and additional park-and-ride services, along with free shuttle buses, were provided for shoppers. Public transport options, including the airport link from Puhinui Station and the Skydrive bus from the city, were also encouraged.
Marketing efforts focused on promoting the mall throughout its opening month, rather than just the first weekend, to reduce crowding. In collaboration with NZTA, Auckland Transport, and ATOC, traffic signals were adjusted to prioritise airport-bound traffic.
While some questioned the location of the mall next to the airport, travel blogger Megan Singleton noted that it provided nearby hotel guests with an accessible shopping destination without needing to venture into the city.