Motorists are being urged to drive to the conditions - and be patient - as thousands of holidaymakers head home after the school holidays.
Travellers are being urged to plan ahead, be patient and not take any undue risks, following a horrific week on the roads during which three died in a Southland crash on Sunday and four others died north of Taupo on Tuesday.
The deaths have pushed the road toll to 297 so far this year. The road toll was 254 at the same time last year.
The latest victim was a 94-year-old man, who died overnight on Thursday, six days after a car crash in Christchurch.
Road deaths so far this year already exceed the 2013 toll of 253 and 2014’s 293.
An NZ Transport Agency spokeswoman advised drivers to avoid the busiest times and allow plenty of time for their travel to avoid frustration in the event of of delays.
AA motoring affairs spokesman Barney Irvine said there should not be any major delays this weekend compared with a long weekend, as people tended to stagger their journeys when they returned home.
The weather is not expected to add to any travel woes.
The MetService is forecasting minimal rain around most parts, barring a few showers, hail and thunderstorms in the south and southeast of the South Island later on Saturday.
