| This consultation closed 24 November 2025. |
We’re proposing to install an Intersection Speed Zone to help make the intersection of State Highway 6 and Ellis Street/River Terrace Road safer for road users, the local school and businesses in Brightwater.
Each day around 11,500 vehicles travel between Hope and Brightwater, and 8,500 travel between Brightwater and Wakefield. With further developments, traffic is expected to increase.
Concerns regarding safety at this intersection were raised by 60 per cent of submitters as part of previous consultation on SH6 speed limits between Hope and Wakefield in 2020. The speed limit remained at 80km/h in this area, with the plan to further investigate improving this intersection.
The proposed Intersection Speed Zone is the result of these investigations and would include the introduction of a variable speed limit of 60km/h on the state highway that would operate when people use this intersection.
At all other times, the speed limit would remain 80km/h.
| Location | Road length | Road classification | Current speed limit | Variable speed limit |
| SH6, Ellis Street and River Terrace Rd intersection, Brightwater | Approximately 150 metres either side of the intersection | Urban connector | 80km/h | 60km/h |
View larger/downloadable map [PDF, 181 KB]
Intersection Speed Zones are used to improve the safety at rural intersections along high-speed roads.
They detect when a vehicle is approaching the intersection to either turn into or out of the side road, activating the electronic variable speed limit sign to temporarily show a lower speed limit on State Highway 6. This makes it easier and safer for people to pull into or out of a side road across a high-speed rural road.
Watch this video to learn how Intersection Speed Zones work.
View the full CBDS for SH6 Ellis Street/River Terrace Road Intersection Speed Zone [PDF, 273 KB]
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the proposed Intersection Speed Zone at Brightwater. Consultation closed on 24 November 2025 and we received more than 300 submissions.
We now need to review these alongside our technical and safety assessments. Once complete, we’ll then submit the proposal to the Director of Land Transport for their approval. More details will be published on this page, along with the director’s decision.
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.
Road safety objectives(external link)
Email us at BrightwaterISZ@nzta.govt.nz
For further information on speed reviews: State highway speed management
Information you provided in the online form will be made publicly available (with the exception of any personal information that could be used to identify an individual such as names, contact details and physical addresses) and will be used by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (we/us) to gain feedback, write our consultation report, and to meet the consultation requirements for the proposed SH6 and Ellis Street/River Terrace Road Intersection Speed Zone and variable speed limit changes as set out in the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024.
Note on use of AI in analysing feedback
To help us analyse the feedback we receive through this consultation, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools. These tools can assist us in identifying common themes and summarising responses more efficiently. Any use of AI will follow our privacy and data protection standards, and your feedback will always be reviewed by our team to ensure fair and accurate reporting.
