| This consultation closed Friday 28 November 2025. This website page will be updated with the outcomes of the consultation and review process and submitters will be notified of the outcome. |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is proposing to change the speed limit on a short section of State Highway 26A (formerly SH26 and also known as Morrinsville Road) from near Silverdale Road towards the Ruakura Road roundabout. This is proposed under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024 (the Rule).
Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024
The safety improvements currently planned support the revocation process to transfer SH26A to a local road following the opening of the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway. Part of that revocation process includes reviewing the suitability of the speed limits on that road. Another safety improvement is the peanut shaped roundabout at the Silverdale Road/Matangi Road intersection which is planned to begin construction in 2026. You can find out more information on these, and other proposed changes on the Hamilton City Council website.
Hamilton City Council website(external link)
We proposed lowering the speed limits as follows:
For the urban section where it is proposed to reduce the speed limit to 50km/h, the future roundabout will be visible from all approaches and so drivers will be able to adjust their speeds accordingly.
For the peri-urban length between the proposed new roundabout and Raukura roundabout heading towards Morrinsville, the proposed 70km/h speed limit is consistent with other similar local roads.
View larger speed review map [PDF, 416 KB]
|
Location |
Rule road classification |
Approx length (km) |
Existing speed limit (km/h) |
Proposed speed limit (km/h) |
|
Existing 80km/h threshold sign northeast of Morris Road to northeast of Silverdale Road |
Urban Connector |
0.46 |
80 |
50 |
|
Northeast of Silverdale Road to southwest of Ruakura Road/ SH26 /Lissette Road Roundabout |
Peri-urban |
1.96 |
80 |
70 |
NZTA considers the economic impacts alongside the views of road users gathered during consultation and technical safety assessments to determine if we set the lower speed limit.
The Cost Benefit Disclosure Statement outlining safety, travel time, and cost impacts is summarised below and is also available in full on these links:
SH26A from near Silverdale Road to near Ruakura Road [PDF, 121 KB]
SH26A Silverdale Road to near Ruakura Road roundabout [PDF, 125 KB]
|
From |
To |
Length (km) |
Existing speed limit |
Proposed speed limit |
% reduction injury crashes |
Seconds increase per journey |
Estimated cost* |
|
Existing 80km/h threshold sign 330m northeast of Morris Road |
Approx. 170m northeast of Silverdale Road |
0.46 |
80km/h |
50km/h |
38% reduction in injury crashes |
7 seconds increase (all vehicle types) |
$70,000 |
|
Approx. 170m northeast of Silverdale Road |
Approx. 100m southwest of Ruakura Road/ SH26 /Lissette Road roundabout |
1.96 |
80km/h |
70km/h |
9% reduction in injury crashes |
5 seconds increase (all vehicle types) |
$50,000 |
*Where possible, existing signage will be utilised/reused which will reduce costs. If this isn’t possible and new signage will be required along with the associated traffic management, these are the expected costs. These may include such things as planning, road signs and markings, installation costs including traffic management, and consultation and administration costs. Opportunities for minimising traffic management costs will also be undertaken.
This proposal aligns with the Government’s Road Safety Objectives which include taking a balanced and targeted approach to speed limits by considering safety, economic impacts – including travel times – and community views.
Ministry of Transport: Road safety objectives(external link)
State highway speed management
Subscribe to updates to keep informed(external link)
Email us at waikato.speed.reviews@nzta.govt.nz
Submissions closed 5pm, Friday 28 November 2025.
The information you send us on this online form or in a written submission will be used by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to help inform our consultation for the speed limit reviews on SH26A Morrinsville Road in the Waikato region. NZTA may publish in part or in full the information you submit, for example in a consultation report, but we will not include any information that could be used to identify an individual person. If you have indicated you are an authorised representative of an organisation, we may publish your organisation’s name. Please clearly indicate if your comments contain commercially sensitive information or, if for some other reason, they should not be disclosed.
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