The trial reopening is to allow Hairini residents and their visitors to use this lane to improve access to routes out of the community.
The slip lane will reopen from 20 October 2025 to 20 January 2026, except during the morning peak hours of 6.30am to 9.30am, Monday to Friday when it will remain buses only for safety reasons.
The reopening applies only to the slip lane. The section of bus lane after the merge, (refer to image), will remain a bus lane at all times.
Any vehicles which continue in the bus lane past the designated merge point, at any time, risk a $150 fine. A $150 fine may also be issued if the slip lane is used between 6.30am-9.30am, Monday to Friday.
The merge will be marked with both signs and green paint on the road.
Remember to ‘merge like a zip’ – match your speed with the other traffic, indicate as you look for a gap, then merge safely.
Hairini slip lane trial flyer (940kb pdf)
Why is the slip lane reopening?
The decision follows requests from local Hapū Ngāi Te Ahi and others in the Hairini community to ease the current restrictions and restore local access.
In May-June 2025 we surveyed more than 300 local homes and businesses in Hairini to determine the level of support for current restrictions, level of support for a proposed trial reopening of the slip lane, and what times people would like the slip lane to be open.
Seventy-three (80%) of the 92 people who responded either supported or strongly supported a three-month trial reopening of the slip lane. Many people who were visited at their homes by Council staff also verbally supported the trial.
Engagement summary (148kb pdf)
At a meeting of the City Delivery Committee on 22 July 2025 a decision was made to go ahead with a three-month trial reopening of the slip lane.
Safety measures
The trial reopening of the slip lane must not compromise safety or cause excessive ‘rat running’ through Hairini Street which would see an unacceptable increase in traffic in the residential area.
Although a decision was made not to install traffic calming measures (such as speed humps, chicanes, and road narrowing) initially, safety remains the top priority.
We will be actively monitoring changes in vehicle volumes and speeds as well as changes in driver behaviour from day one of the trial. If there are any causes for concern, approval from Council to install traffic calming measures will be sought.
With more vehicles expected on the road during the trial we’re asking all drivers to take extra care – slow down, stay alert and watch for children walking, biking and scootering.
Let’s work together to keep Hairini Street safe for everyone.
Next steps
A report will be presented to Council after the trial to help determine whether the slip lane should remain open permanently, including feedback from the community.