Transporting New Zealand is welcoming NZTA Waka Kotahi’s announcement this week that 43 sections of state highway will revert to their previous higher speed limits.
The reversals must be implemented by July 1, 2025.
Between 30 January and 13 March 2025, NZTA consulted on 49 sections of state highway around the country to determine public support levels for keeping speed limits at lowered speeds.
Based on community feedback, speed limits at 43 of the 49 sections will return to their previous speed limits.
For six locations, consultation demonstrated majority public support to keep the current lower speed limit:
- SH30 Rotorua South
- SH5 Waipā State Mill Road
- SH5 Waiotapu
- SH3 Whanganui
- SH3 Palmerston North east to Whakarongo
- SH94 Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound
Chief executive Dom Kalasih said the partial rollback is a positive outcome that respects local views and demonstrates that the Coalition Government’s 2024 speed limit rule change strikes a careful balance between efficiency and safety considerations.
“We were pleased to see the end of the previous Government’s policy of blanket speed limit reduction. This one-size-fits all approach slowed everyone down, led to frustrated drivers and increasing disregard for lowered limits,” he said.
“In contrast, the Coalition Government’s approach of lower speed limits in areas with high crash risk, variable speed limits outside schools during pick-up and drop-off times, and meaningful community consultation is a big improvement.
“Free-moving traffic benefits all road users, maximises productivity, and keeps the 93 percent of New Zealand’s freight that travels via road moving efficiently.”
NZTA received 21,500 submissions on 49 sections of the state highway system, with the level of participation and volume of submissions making the speed reversal consultation one of NZTA’s largest to date.
There are other areas on state highways where decisions have yet to be made, and these are what NZTA calls “urban connectors”, which range from Northland to Rakaia.
