Warnings malls will only get busier, after shoppers at Westfield Newmarket were trapped inside the carpark for hours on Saturday afternoon.

The Auckland shopping centre is apologising to customers left sitting in queues to get out for at least three hours.

Newmarket Business Association's Mark Knoff-Thomas says demand will only rise the closer we get to Christmas, with Black Friday likely to be the busiest yet.

"We want to be ready for that. There are lots of options- buses ae available, trains are available, people can car-share and if you do take your car, you've got to really plan your time."

Knoff-Thomas says Saturday's bad weather, combined with Black Friday pre-sales, to cause road congestion.

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