- Why did you have to set new speed limits?
- What are the new permanent speed limits and where do they start/stop?
- How were those limits decided?
- When do the speed limit changes come into effect and how are the public being notified?
- Why aren’t the limits being returned to 100km/h and 70km/h?
- How many people have died or been seriously injured on this route?
- What will lowering the speed limit really do?
- Won’t the new lower speed limits mean the trip will take a lot longer?
- Did you consult with the public on these changes?
- What are Intersection Speed Zones?
Why did you have to set new speed limits?
We talked to the community and others about making this stretch of road safer. People told us that speeds felt too high to be safe.
Five people died and 26 people were seriously injured in crashes on these roads between 2009 and 2018.
Lower permanent speed limits were needed to reduce the number of crashes and resulting deaths and serious injuries.
There are hazards like narrow road shoulders and steep drop offs or ditches on the roadside. There are more vehicles, including heavy vehicles, driving through areas where people live, as well in places popular for recreation, walking and cycling.
What are the new permanent speed limits and where do they start/stop?
| Location | New permanent speed limits |
|---|---|
| SH30 – 140m north of Rotokawa Road to SH30/SH33 intersection | 80km/h |
| SH30 – SH30/SH33 intersection to 353m east of intersection | 80km/h |
| SH33 – SH30/SH33 intersection to 64m south of Okawa Bay Road | 80km/h |
| SH33 – 64m south of Okawa Bay Road to 703m north-east of Hamurana Road (Mourea) | 60km/h |
| SH33 – 703m north of Hamurana Road to 1.56km south of Trout Pool Road | 80km/h |
| SH33 – 1.56km south of Trout Pool Road to 390m north of Trout Pool Road (Okere Falls) | 60km/h |
| SH33 – 110m south-west of Partridge Lane to 120m north of Lemon Road (Paengaroa) | 60km/h |
SH33 Paengaroa
SH33/30 Okere Falls to Rotokawa Road
How were those limits decided?
The speed review process involves numerous steps that help determine the speed limits we propose at consultation.
Infrastructure based safety improvement projects have been in development in the area for several years. As part of the community engagement for these projects, issues about speed were persistently raised by the community and stakeholders.
Traffic volumes, including heavy vehicles, have been increasing, especially in areas where people live and try to go about their day-to-day business. There is only so much we can physically do to make the road safer, and it won’t fix everything.
A technical assessment was completed which considers the road itself, the traffic volumes, the crash history, and the way people are currently travelling on the roads.
Following the technical assessment, we undertook formal consultation where we ask road user groups, members of the public, iwi, councils, AA, road transport associations, and the Police for submissions on any external factors, we may need to be aware of. The consultation period was four weeks. Once consultation closed, we analysed the submissions and re-analysed our technical information.
The consultation for the proposed speed limit changes is not a vote, it is about seeking valuable local and community input so that we can consider wider factors and context into our decisions.
For more information about how we reached these decisions, read our consultation summary report [PDF, 374 KB]
Learn more about the speed review process(external link)
When do the speed limit changes come into effect and how are the public being notified?
The new speed limits take effect on Monday 29 June 2020.
The public will be notified of the new permanent speed limits through the newspaper, on the radio, on the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website, and on social media.
Why aren’t the limits being returned to 100km/h and 70km/h?
The review undertaken assessed that the various 100km/h and 70km/h speeds were not safe and appropriate for the route.
Lower permanent speed limits were needed to reduce the number of crashes and resulting deaths and serious injuries.
How many people have died or been seriously injured on this route?
Five people died and 26 people were seriously injured in crashes on these roads between 2009 and 2018.
What will lowering the speed limit really do?
Less speed means less harm. A small change in speed makes a big difference. Speed affects both the likelihood of a crash, and the severity of it. Even when speed doesn’t cause the crash, it is most likely to determine whether anyone is killed or injured or walks away unharmed. 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 lower speed limits mean the trip will take a lot longer?
The new permanent speed limits will have minimal impact on travel times. Over the route, the travel time would only increase by approximately 30-90 seconds.
Did you consult with the public on these changes?
Yes. Between August and September 2019, we formally consulted with the public on the proposed permanent speed limits. We received 109 submissions.
