Last updated 20 February 2024
Why are you changing speed limits?
As a road controlling authority, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has a responsibility to set safe and appropriate speed limits to maintain the state highway network.
What are the new approved speed limits?
Speed limits on short sections of the following state highways will be changing:
- SH1 Pukenui to Kaitaia
- SH15 from SH1 (north of Kaikohe) to Otaika
- SH14 Dargaville to Whangārei
- SH1 Kawakawa to Whangārei
- SH11 Kawakawa to Paihia
- SH1 Whangārei to Te Hana
- SH12 Ōmāpere to Kaikohe
- SH12 Brynderwyn to Ōmāpere
- SH16 Wellsford to Waimauku
- SH1 Te Hana to Warkworth
- SH10 Pakaraka to Taipa
In total, the approved changes include 54 new permanent speed limit changes and new electronic (variable speed limit) signs across 34 schools. The changes affect speed limits alongside 7 marae.
More detailed information on this page:
Will there be speed limit changes along the entire state highway corridor?
Speed limit changes will be targeted to short sections through townships and close to schools and marae, and will not affect the entire stretch of state highway.
What is a variable speed limit (VSL) and how does it work outside schools?
Variable speed limits (VSL) outside schools help to slow traffic down when people are travelling to and from school. Electronic VSL signs can be activated during school travel periods to display a lower, enforceable speed limit.
When the electronic sign is active the legal speed limit of 30 or 60 km/h will be displayed when children are going to and from school at the start and end of the school day. When activities (e.g. early finish times, school functions) may create additional risk to children, the signs can be active for a duration agreed by the school. At all other times, the electronic sign is blank, and the permanent speed limit applies. We will work with each school to confirm VSL operating times and conditions.
When will the new speed limits apply?
We will use a phased approach to implement speed limit changes. The first changes will be on sections of State Highway 1 between Pukenui to Kaitaia – these new speed limits will apply from Monday 4 March 2024.
We intend to deliver the remaining speed limit changes by the end of 2024 and will let people know once we have confirmed the implementation dates. Keep an eye on our website for updated information.
Implementing the new speed limits
How are you notifying people about the speed limit changes?
We let people know about the changes via a targeted communications campaign including letters and emails, newspapers, radio and digital advertising, social media posts, flyers, and updates to our project webpage. Keep an eye on our website for updated information.
Did you consult with the public on these changes?
In May and June 2022, we consulted with stakeholders and the public on the safe and appropriate speed for new proposed speed limits at schools and townships on 11 corridors of state highway in Northland and north Auckland. This included collaborating with iwi and hapū on signage for marae.
What was the feedback received during consultation?
We received 653 submissions.
These sections of state highway were selected as priority sections for consideration following strong feedback and genuine safety concerns from the community and local stakeholders. Feedback during May – June 2022 highlighted strong community support for speed limit changes including:
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- SH12 Brynderwyn to Ōmāpere – 92 percent support
- SH16 Wellsford to Waimauku – 89 percent support
- SH15 from SH1 (north of Kaikohe) to Otaika – 88 percent support
- SH12 Ōmāpere to Kaikohe – 78 percent support
- SH11 Kawakawa to Paihia – 70 percent support
- SH14 Dargaville to Whangārei – 67 percent support
- SH10 Pakaraka to Taipā – 61 percent support.
Read more about the consultation on this page:
How were these speed limits decided?
To change a speed limit, we must follow a legal process that involves a number of steps.
Ongoing engagement
While technical advice is an important part of speed reviews, local knowledge and experience of using our roads is also vital to this process. We want all communities to have a chance to give their feedback on how safety interventions can be managed in their area, and on any proposed changes to speed limits.
We actively seek input and feedback from our Māori and local government partners, key stakeholders and the community. It’s these conversations that help us get valuable insights and local knowledge on how people use the road, and their concerns around road safety.
We consider people’s feedback alongside the technical information that our road safety specialists have collated to help us decide how we are best to manage safety on our roads and ensure speed limits are safe and appropriate for all road users.
Formal consultation on proposed speed limit changes
The formal consultation step is where we show people how we plan to manage speeds on our roads, including proposed speed limit changes. These changes have been developed and refined using the technical information as well as feedback gathered from our engagement with people.
During this consultation stage, we ask people if they have any additional information we should consider, that might have an impact on our final decision. We consider people’s feedback alongside our technical information to finalise our proposed speed limit changes.
Approval of speed limit change
We submit our proposed speed limit changes to the Director of Land Transport for approval, and publish the approval on our website.
New speed limits implemented
We let people know the date speed limits will change, we install the new speed limit signs on the road, then implement the new speed limits.
There is more information on our speed review process on our website.
How does the revised government approach to speed limit rules affect this work?
In late 2023, the Minister of Transport announced changes to the Setting of Speed Limits Rule and confirmed that work is underway to develop a new Rule. We are taking the appropriate steps to give effect to road safety policies the government announces.
Upcoming speed limit changes in Northland and north Auckland were approved before the formalisation of any new rules, however they are consistent with the government’s approach, to focus on changes to short sections of state highway through townships, schools and marae.
