AUCKLAND — A busy central Auckland intersection was thrown into chaos on Monday afternoon after a violent two-vehicle collision sent one car plowing directly into a popular local eatery, causing extensive structural damage.

Emergency services were called to the scene at the intersection of New North Road and Mount Eden Road in Eden Terrace at approximately 12:10 PM on Monday, July 6, 2026 following reports of a severe crash.

According to initial reports, the force of the two-vehicle collision deflected one of the cars off the road, sending it mounting the curb and striking the corner building housing the Puen Eatery & Bar.

Footage and eyewitness accounts from the scene showed the front end of the vehicle completely lodged inside the building's facade. Smashed glass, shattered framing, and structural debris were left scattered across the busy public footpath.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) responded rapidly to the incident, dispatching three crews from the Auckland City, Balmoral, and Papatoetoe stations. The immediately surrounding area was cordoned off as emergency personnel worked to secure the vehicle and stabilize the area.

"The building has sustained extensive damage and is currently being assessed by our crews on site." — Fire and Emergency New Zealand Spokesperson

Miraculously, given the time of day and the busy nature of the intersection, early reports indicate that casualties were minimal. Police confirmed that only one person suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident.

The building was promptly evacuated as a precautionary measure while first responders checked for deeper structural hazards. An Auckland Council compliance officer attended the scene shortly after the crash and determined that the building was not actively dangerous as defined under the Building Act, offering some relief to the business owners.

The intersection remained partially blocked for a couple of hours, causing minor traffic delays through Eden Terrace as police managed the flow of vehicles around the emergency vehicles.

The vehicle was successfully towed away later in the afternoon, allowing clean-up crews to begin the process of boarding up the shattered storefront. Police inquiries into the exact circumstances surrounding the collision are currently ongoing.