SH8 Tekapo new permanent speed limits

Situated midway along the popular tourist route from Christchurch to Queenstown, Tekapo is a town that is growing and is a destination in its own right. More housing, commercial and tourist developments have been constructed in recent years and more are anticipated.

As a result of the increase in the size of Tekapo and the visitor numbers in the area, the residents in and around Tekapo have become increasingly concerned about safety along State Highway 8.

Between 10 August and 10 September 2021, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency consulted with stakeholders and the public on the safe and appropriate speed for State Highway 8 (SH8) Tekapo, and in December 2021 new speed limits were introduced.

What we knew

We talked to the community, council and others about making the highway through Tekapo safer. We heard that speeds in this area felt too high to be safe.

The Tekapo community has been calling for changes in speed limits in their township as a result of the increase in traffic: including campers, caravans, pedestrians and cyclists.

In the ten-year period between 2011 and 2020, there were 41 crashes on SH8 in Tekapo. Five people were seriously injured as a result, and four incurred minor injuries. 

New speed limits

The following speed limits were proposed during consultation and have been set as the new permanent speed limits. The new permanent speed limits took effect on Friday 10 December 2021.

Permanent speed limits through Tekapo

The new permanent speed limits through SH8 Tekapo

View downloadable image [PDF, 401 KB]

Consultation and submissions

Public consultation closed on Friday 10 September 2021.

39 submissions were received during the consultation period from stakeholder organisations and the public.

Consultation summary and the submissions [PDF, 541 KB]

Other safety improvements completed during this work

1. A new right turn bay into Lakeside Drive.
2. Extend the existing right turn bay into Rapuwai Lane.
3. A new pedestrian refuge (central crossing island) opposite Tekapo Adventures.
4. A new right turn bay into the Challenge Service Station.
5. Extend the existing right turn bay into Domain Road.
6. A new pedestrian refuge (central crossing island) and kerb buildout on the south side of the road opposite the school bus stop near Greig Street.
7. A new pedestrian refuge (central crossing island) and kerb buildouts on both sides of the road opposite the look out and parking area (midway between Pioneer Drive and Hamilton Drive).
8. A new right turn bay into Hamilton Drive.

View larger image [PDF, 3.8 MB]

Detailed images of the other proposed safety improvements

[PDF, 972 KB]

Changes to street lighting

As part of these improvements we also added three new streetlights to compliment the pedestrian refuges and upgraded five streetlights (luminaires) to create an appropriate lighting balance. The new and replacement lights have 3000K kelvin luminaires. This satisfies the international dark-sky association requirements.

How speed reviews work

More information about speed and the speed review process is available on the Speed Review Programme webpage.

Speed Review Programme webpage(external link)

The sign of a safe speed

Video: The Sign of a Safe Speed