Photo: Adele Rycroft / MANAWATŪ STANDARDThe source of the loose tar that littered roads and highways from Waiouru to Wellington earlier this week remains unknown. Police were notified by the public to lumps of tar scattered around central roads and state highways on Wednesday morning as unsuspecting drivers tracked the substance during commutes. Though there were "a number of speculative ideas" about the source of the tar, there was no set culprit for the spillage. Pictures emerged on social media showing the substance has been tracked as far as the Bluebridge ferry terminal in central Wellington by unknowing cars heading south. Anyone who witnessed the tar being spilt from a vehicle can contact them on 105 and reference case number P065564731.

Source: Stuff February 26, 2026 23:25 UTC