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Manawatū – Whanganui

In December 2023, the Minister of Transport Hon Simeon Brown confirmed that work was underway to develop a new Land Transport Rule for setting speed limits. In anticipation of the new Rule, we paused work on our speed management plans.

As information on the proposed 2024 Rule has been released, we have been working through what it means for speed limit proposals within the Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan. In some cases, we have been progressing selected proposals to approval separately to the Plan.

Approval and implementation for some proposals may progress ahead of others due to consideration against the intent of the new Rule, confirmation of funding for delivery, and other internal processes. We may pause activity where there are potential conflicts with the new Rule until we have more clarity.

We will provide updates on outstanding proposals after decisions have been made via our website and notify people who provided feedback on the proposals during consultation.

Beehive media release - 12 December 2023: Government changes speed limit rules(external link)

Proposed speed limits in Manawatū-Whanganui

Following our analysis and conversations with partners, interested groups and organisations, we propose the following new speed limits:

Speed limit map

Map showing locations of proposed speed limit changes in Manawatū and Whanganui

View larger map and speed limit tables [PDF, 1.5 MB]

Speed limit tables 

  • Speed limits around schools
    State highway School Existing speed limit (km/h) Proposed new speed limit (km/h)
    *variable
    1 Mangaweka School 70 70/30*
    1 Oroua Downs School 100 100/≤60*
    1 St Mary’s School (Foxton) 50 50/30*
    1 Poroutawhao School 100 100/≤60*
    1/3 Sanson School 50 50/30*
    2 Huia Range School 50 50/30*
    2 Woodville School 50 50/30*
    2 Mangatainoka School 70 70/30*
    2 Pahiatua School 50 50/30*
    3 Kai Iwi School 100 100/≤60*
    3 Whanganui High School 50 50/30*
    3 St George’s School 50 50/30*
    3 Whanganui Collegiate School 50 50/30*
    3 Carlton School 50 50/30*
    3 Turakina School 70 70/30*
    3 Bulls School 50 50/30*
    3 Newbury School 100 100/≤60*
    3 Queen Elizabeth College 50 50/30*
    3 Palmerston North Boys’ High 50 50/30*
    3 Central Normal School 50 50/30*
    4 Taumarunui Primary School 50 50/30*
    4 Manunui School 70 70/30*
    4 Kakatahi School 100 100/≤60*
    4 Aberfeldy School 100 100/≤60*
    4 Ūpokongaro School 70 40/30*
    4 Whanganui Girls’ College 50 50/30*
    43 Marco School 100 100/≤60*
    54 Hato Paora College 100 100/≤60*
    56 Longburn School 70 70/30*
    56 Ōpiki School 80 80/30*
    57 Aokautere School 80 80/≤60*
    57 Turitea School 100 100/≤60*
    57 Tokomaru School 50 50/30*
    57 Shannon School 50 50/30*
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  • Other speed limits
    State highway Reference number (refer to map) Location Description Existing speed limit (km/h) Proposed new speed limit (km/h)
    *variable
    4 1 Ūpokongaro urban Ūpokongaro village urban area (north of Whanganui) 70 40
    57 1 SH57/SH56 intersection speed zone (ISZ) On SH57, approaching intersection with SH56 100 100/60*
    57 2 Heatherlea East Road to Shannon South Shannon to Heatherlea East Road 100 90
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Have your say

Consultation on the Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan closed on 12 December 2022. 

View the latest update on this plan

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