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SH23, SH31 and SH39 West Waikato speed review

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Project introduction

There’s been a significant number of crashes on SH23, SH31 and SH39, in the west Waikato. These roads were part of a speed review. We now await finalisation of the new Speed Rule before making any further decisions.

  • Project type

    Speed review

Project updates

West Waikato speed review engagement summary report
Project updates, (PDF)
Share your thoughts on West Waikato state highway speeds
Media release,

Speed limit consultation

Between October and November 2020 we engaged with local communities, mana whenua, key stakeholders, councils and road user industry groups about the current speed limits on State Highways 23, 31 and 39 in west Waikato.

A draft Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 was announced by the Government recently which is a change from the current rule. The consultation has closed and is now being analysed. The speed rule will be finalised soon after that.

Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024(external link)

After the rule has been finalised, NZTA will identify state highway locations impacted by the Rule, and advise on next steps for speed limit changes on the state highway network.

What we know

  • Between 2009-2018, there were 17 fatalities and 104 people seriously injured as a result of crashes on the highways under consideration in this speed review. While crashes are caused by a number of contributing factors, even when speed isn’t the main cause of the crash, it is most likely to determine whether anyone is killed, injured, or walks away unharmed.
  • The West Waikato state highway network is used for moving freight between regions, agribusiness, commuting, tourism and local residents. This mix of road users are not always complementary and can lead towards safety issues for everyone using the road.
  • For many this part of the state highway network is the ‘street’ they live on and the place they call home. Petitions relating to speed limits being too high have been received by Waka Kotahi for some of the towns in this area.
  • SH31 out to Kawhia is a particularly winding road, with numerous roadside hazards along the route such as large trees and steep drop-offs.

The table in the first link below outlines the number of crashes, deaths and serious injuries sustained across the three state highways during the ten-year period (2009-2018). 

Along with the devastating effect on families and communities, crashes on this route can cause extensive delays and long detours if there are road closures.

  • Table showing current versus average speed limits in this area

    Speed limits on these state highways are as high as 100km/h, but the average speeds are much lower as shown in the following table.

     Location  Current speed limit (km/h)  Average speed (km/h)
    SH23 - Hamilton West (Dinsdale) to Whatawhata 100 82
    SH23 - Whatawhata 80 77
    SH23 - Whatawhata to Four Brothers Reserve 100 82
    SH23 - Four Brothers Reserve to east of Cogswell Road 100 75
    SH23 - East of Cogswell Road to Te Uku 100 77
    SH23 - Te Uku 80 82
    SH23 - Te Uku to 400m east of Greenslade Road 100 85
    SH23 - 400m east of Greenslade Road to Manukau Road 100 72
    SH31 - Otorohanga to the SH31/SH39 junction 100 80
    SH31 - SH31/SH39 junction to Te Kauri Stream bridge 100 80
    SH31 - Te Kauri Stream bridge to 2km east of Harbour Road 100 65
    SH31 - 2km east of Harbour Road to Kawhia 100 72
    SH39 - Te Kowhai to Whatawhata 100 82
    SH39 - Whatawhata 70/80 60
    SH39 - Whatawhata to Ngahinapouri 100 87
    SH39 - Ngahinapouri 70 77
    SH39 - Ngahinapouri to Pirongia 100 87
    SH39 - Pirongia South 70 62
    SH39 - Pirongia South to the SH31/SH39 junction 100 87
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  • What is the background of this review?
    • The crash history shows that between 2009 and 2018 there were 882 crashes on this stretch of road with 17 people killed, and 104 seriously injured.
    • There are a number of safety issues with these state highways that have been raised by the community. 
    • Petitions had been received by Waka Kotahi in the review area.
    • Engagement was carried out with the Whatawhata Residents and Ratepayers Association as part of the Safe Roads projects on SH23. The Association has recently requested action at the SH23/SH39 intersection, saying their residents are “petrified”. Speed management will make some difference to safety through Whatawhata while longer term options are being worked through and funded, such as a roundabout.
    • Waka Kotahi had conversations with councillor Noel Smith and Glen McLennan in April 2020 in relation to the community’s safety concerns at the SH23/SH39 intersection at Whatawhata. Waka Kotahi has undertaken a technical assessment of the intersection, which includes reviewing the intersection risks and identifying safety interventions to improve the safety of the intersection. The technical assessment recommended a preferred safety intervention to improve the overall safety of the intersection - the recommendation is a single lane roundabout. If approved, the recommended project would then progress through a funding prioritisation process to determine where this project would sit on the National Land Transport Programme.

    Learn about the speed review process(external link) 

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Project Contacts

Waikato Speed Review Team – Waikato.Speed.Reviews@nzta.govt.nz
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