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Police have confirmed that devices found near a body beside Auckland’s Southern Motorway yesterday were viable pipe bombs, capable of “causing death and serious injury”.

The devices have now been destroyed as police continue to investigate the death of a man on a walkway next to a section of State Highway 1 in the suburb of Highbrook.

The man’s body was discovered about 11.30am on Tuesday, leading to the complete closure of the southbound lanes and long delays to traffic.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward of Counties Manukau CIB said a post-mortem examination is being completed today on the man. It is expected to be completed this afternoon.

“Further specialist examination of two devices recovered near the man’s body has now been completed.

“From this examination, police can confirm both devices were, in fact, viable pipe bombs.

 
The scene on the Southern Motorway at Highbrook where the State Highway 1 southbound lanes have been closed due to a police operation. 22 July 2025. Photo / Dean Purcell.

“These devices would have been capable of causing death or serious injury to any individual in proximity.

“Thanks to specialist assistance at the scene, these devices were safely removed and have since been destroyed.”

Hayward said staff “carefully balanced public safety considerations as well as the integrity of a scene” yesterday when they shut down large sections of the motorway, jamming traffic for hours.

“Given the scene’s proximity to a major state highway, it was imperative that the area was made safe before proceeding.”

Hayward said there was no longer a risk to the wider public.

The scene on the Southern Motorway at Highbrook next to the Tamaki River inlet where the State Highway 1 southbound lanes have been closed due to a police operation. 22 July 2025. Photo / Dean Purcell.

The scene on the Southern Motorway at Highbrook where the State Highway 1 southbound lanes have been closed due to a police operation. 22 July 2025. Photo / Dean Purcell.

The Southern Motorway reopened yesterday after the sudden closure to the southbound lanes of SH1 between Princes St East and Highbrook Drive in Highbrook from 12.40pm.

Just before 3pm yesterday, all lanes on SH1 reopened.

Traffic had been building on the southbound lanes of the southwestern motorway as motorists avoided the closure.

Traffic builds up southbound on State Highway 1, Auckland, as a police operation closed off a section of motorway in Highbrook.

Drivers across Auckland shared their frustration on social media as the congestion worsened during the kick-off of rush hour.

“Has anyone actually got home? I’ve been driving from Greenlane to Takanini since 1.30pm ... and I’m still 40 minutes away,” one person said on Tuesday afternoon.