Although some towns are feeling the pinch after the opening of motorways that bypass their towns, not all are struggling. 

More than 22,500 vehicles used to pass through Warkworth every day, but since the opening of the Ara Tūhono section of State Highway 1, businesses have reported a drop in business. 

However, Ōtaki has been thriving since the opening of the Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway in 2022. 

Ōtaki Business Association Member and Owner of Black and Co Quality Leather NZ Leon Kingi told Kerre Woodham that it’s opened the town back up to locals. 

He says that since they no longer have to avoid the traffic, more people are coming into town deliberately to shop and enjoy the local businesses. 

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