The Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022 (the Rule) set the regulatory framework designed for road controlling authorities to plan for, consult on and implement speed management changes.

On 12 December 2023, the Minister of Transport announced amendments to the Rule as part of  the Coalition Government’s 100-day plan in relation to speed management.

The Minister signalled the intent to begin work on a new Rule, which has now commenced. The expectation is that further information on the scope and process for the new Rule will be available in early 2024.

The Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits Amendment 2023 comes into effect on Friday 15 December.

Amendments to the Rule 2023

The following changes have been made to the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022 (the Rule) through the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits Amendment 2023:

  • The requirement to develop speed management plans is now discretionary rather than mandatory
  • The Minister of Transport, rather than the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, now has the authority to set a deadline for any of the steps involved in developing, varying or replacing Speed Management Plans (SMPs)
  • Any previous deadlines set out under the Rule are revoked
  • Any previous deadlines and targets set out in the Rule for Road Controlling Authorities to change speed limits outside schools are revoked
  • Regional Transport Committees (RTCs) and Road Controlling Authorities (RCAs) no longer need to meet the previous deadlines associated with setting speed limits outside schools as set out in the Rule.

Plans can still be submitted, however RTCs and RCAs should note the intention from the Minister to develop a new Rule, as well as the request to wait for this new Rule before developing or completing SMPs already under development.

Government changes rules on speed management plans(external link)

Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022 and Amendment 2023

Amendments to the Rule - information for RCAs

Key information on the effects of the amendments can be found below.

The development of Speed Management Plans (SMPs) is no longer mandatory. The authority to set deadlines for preparing SMPs is now with the Minister of Transport rather than the NZ Transport Agency. Any previous deadlines and targets set out under the Rule have been revoked, including those associated with changing speed limits around schools.

These changes have been made to the following clauses in the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022 via the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits Amendment 2023:

  • Clause 3.6 ‘Agency may set deadlines’ has been amended by replacing ‘Agency’ with ‘Minister’, along with minor associated amendments.
  • Clause 5.4 (‘implementation of new speed limits around schools’) has been revoked, along with associated consequential amendments.
  • The development of speed management plans is now discretionary rather than mandatory.

Plans can still be submitted, or withdrawn, noting the intention from the Minister to develop a new Rule, as well as the request to wait for this new Rule before developing or completing SMPs.

SMPs are still available under the Rule to progress speed limit changes, and all existing speed limits from certified plans remain legally valid. Implementation can continue if a plan has been certified.