Why did you have to set new speed limits?
The community and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency are deeply concerned about the number of deaths and serious injury crashes occurring on State Highway 10 between Awanui and Kaingaroa.
Over the last the last ten years (2011-2020), there have been 87 crashes on this stretch of road resulting in two deaths and eight people being seriously injured (figures taken from Crash Analysis System data). People in communities along this state highway corridor have told us that they want lower speed limits.
Speed increases both the likelihood of crashes and the severity of crash outcomes, regardless of what caused the crash. Lowering speed limits on the road will make it more forgiving of human error so simple mistakes don’t cost lives.
What else are you doing to make this stretch of road safer?
Speed management is just one part of our investment programme to make New Zealand’s roads safer. We’re also looking at how we can improve road safety and have completed the following additional works in the area:
- Road widening and line marking within the Kareponia 60km/h zone.
- Safety improvements adjacent to Mahimaru and Kareponia marae.
- Introducing a 60km/h Intersection Speed Zone at Mahimaru and Kareponia marae, for traffic entering/exiting the marae within the permanent 80km/h zone, and a pedestrian activated 30km/h zone between Kareponia marae and the urupā.
What is a variable speed limit?
A variable speed limit is an electronic sign that lowers the speed limit for a short period of time. Once the variable speed limit turns off, the permanent speed limit for the state highway takes effect again.
What are the permanent speed limits and where do they start/stop?
On 22 October 2021, the following permanent speed limits came into effect:
|
Location |
New speed limit |
Previous speed limit (km/h) |
|
Existing 100km/h area from 455m southwest of Pukewhai Rd to 610m northeast of Duncan Road. |
80 |
100 |
|
Existing 100km/h area through Kaingaroa from 610m northeast of Duncan Road to 360m southwest of Duncan Road. |
60 |
100 |
|
Existing 100km/h area from 360m southwest of Duncan Road to 1.480km southwest of Pairatahi Road. |
80 |
100 |
|
Existing 100km/h area through Kareponia from 1.480km southwest of Pairatahi Road to 1.275km northeast of Godinovich Road. |
60 |
100 |
|
Existing 100km/h area from 1.275km northeast of Godinovich Road to 430m west of Kumi Road. |
80 |
100 |
|
Extending the existing 50km/h area by 190m east of Awanui, from 430m west of Kumi Road to SH10/SH1 intersection. |
50 |
100 |
On 31 July 2023 the following variable speed limits came into effect:
| Location | Existing speed limit (km/h) | New speed limit (km/h) |
| 40m west of Kareponia urupā Access Point to 150m southwest of Kareponia marae Access Point. | 80km/h |
Variable 30km/h when pedestrians are present 80km/h at all other times |
| 150m northeast of Kareponia marae Access Point to 150m southwest of Kareponia marae Access Point. | 80km/h |
Variable 30km/h when pedestrians are present OR Variable 60km/h when a vehicle is turning into or out of the marae |
| 150m northeast of Mahimaru marae Access Point to 150m southwest of Mahimaru marae Access Point. | 80km/h |
Variable 60km/h when a vehicle is turning into or out of the marae 80km/h at all other times |
How were the speed limits decided?
The speed review process involves numerous steps that help determine the speed limits we propose at consultation. Concerns about speed on this stretch of State Highway 10 have been raised repeatedly by the community and stakeholders.
Traffic volumes, including heavy vehicles, have been increasing. For example, before consultation was completed in 2020, 3,830 vehicles used this section of State Highway 10 every day, compared with 3,395 in 2016. In 2023 this number sits at 4,060 vehicles per day (see the Annual Average Daily Traffic tool).
Annual Average Daily Traffic(external link)
A technical assessment was completed which considered the road itself, the traffic volumes, the crash history, and the way people travel on this road. That assessment was also informed by a public engagement phase, when we heard valuable feedback from the community and stakeholders.
July 2019 engagement summary report [PDF, 59 KB]
Following the technical assessment, in 2019 we undertook formal public consultation. We asked the local community and stakeholders to make submissions on the proposed new speed limits and variable school speed zone, including whether there were any other factors that needed to be considered in making our decision. Once the consultation period closed, we analysed the submissions and re-assessed our technical information.
October 2019 consultation summary report [PDF, 915 KB]
After discussions with Mahimaru and Kareponia marae, in 2020 we proposed an alternative solution which featured variable speed limit signs outside marae. A second public consultation then took place, which included proposed new speed limits for a shorter length of State Highway 10, between Awanui and Pukewhai Road.
November 2020 consultation summary report [PDF, 361 KB]
The consultations for the proposed speed limit changes were not votes, it was about seeking important community input so that we could consider wider factors and context in our decisions.
Variable speed limit engagement summary report [PDF, 420 KB]
When did the speed limit changes come into effect and how were the public notified?
The main speed limit changes came into effect on 22 October 2021. The public was notified of the new permanent speed limits through newspaper and radio advertisements, information on the Waka Kotahi website, and social media posts.
The variable speed limits outside Kareponia marae and Mahimaru marae came into effect on 31 July 2023. The public were notified through newspaper and radio advertisements, information on the Waka Kotahi website, and social media posts.
How many people have died or been seriously injured on this route?
Over the last the last ten years (2011-2020), there have been 87 crashes on this stretch of road resulting in two deaths and eight people being seriously injured (figures taken from Crash Analysis System).
What will lowering the speed limit really do?
Less speed means less harm. A small change in speed makes a big difference. Speed increases both the likelihood of crashes and the severity of crash outcomes, regardless of what caused the crash. Lowering speed limits on the road will make it more forgiving of human error so simple mistakes don’t cost lives. Fewer crashes will also reduce the amount of time the road is closed due to crashes and reduce inconvenience to drivers.
Won’t the new speed limits mean the trip will take longer?
Some people over-estimate the time they will lose if they drive at a slower speed. When you factor in things like congestion, travel times don’t vary as much as you think when a speed limit is reduced.
Increasing safety can also improve journey times. Many of us have been on our roads when there has been a serious crash. These traumatic crashes cause significant physical and emotional harm and they also create additional costs and delays for other road users.
Did you consult with the public on these changes?
In July 2019, we engaged with the community and stakeholders to understand people’s views and local knowledge on current and proposed speed limits along this corridor. Feedback from engagement helped us to decide if a speed limit change was the best thing to do to improve road safety, where new speed limits could begin or end, and if any other safety improvements might be needed.
July 2019 engagement summary report [PDF, 59 KB]
We commenced formal consultation in October 2019 on proposed new speed limits for State Highway 10 between Awanui and Kaingaroa. 538 submissions were received during this consultation process.
October 2019 consultation summary report [PDF, 915 KB]
After discussions with Mahimaru and Kareponia marae, in November 2020 we then proposed an alternative solution which featured variable speed limit signs outside marae. We proposed these to help slow traffic when vehicles are entering or exiting the marae, or when people are walking alongside the highway to the Komako urupā (cemetery).
A second public consultation took place during November and December 2020. It included proposed new speed limits for a shorter length of State Highway 10, between Awanui and Pukewhai Road.
82 submissions were received during the consultation period from stakeholder organisations and the public.
November 2020 consultation summary report [PDF, 361 KB]
Variable speed limit engagement summary report [PDF, 420 KB]
