Between 2 April – 14 May 2025, we consulted with road users, councils, communities and iwi on 1 ‘urban connector’ state highway location in Whanganui, as part of a proposal to reconfirm lower speeds.
Under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 (the Rule), specified sections of state highway, categorised as urban connectors with lowered speed limits, are required to automatically reverse to their previous higher speed limit by 1 July 2025.
NZTA received feedback on some urban connectors, including 1 in Manawatū-Whanganui where the community strongly supported keeping the current lower speed limit.
Changing speed limits is a legal process. The Rule allows NZTA to set speed limits for roads under its control where there is alignment with the intent and requirements of the Rule.
After careful consideration, NZTA undertook new formal reviews of speed limits on this section of road. The speed review included consultation, and considered safety, technical, cost benefit and other data, alongside community feedback to determine if we should reconfirm the lower speed limit, as proposed.
More information on speed reduction reversals
NZTA would like to thank people for providing feedback during consultation. We heard that the majority of people thought reconfirming the lower speed limit would have positive benefits, including increased safety, support for future residential growth, and improved conditions for walking and cycling.
View the consultation summary report to understand the consultation outcome and how community feedback was considered alongside technical, safety and economic information.
Whanganui consultation summary report [PDF, 1016 KB]
View the SH3 Whanganui Cost Benefit Disclosure Statement [PDF, 159 KB]
|
State highway section |
Approximate length (km) |
Existing speed limit (km/h) |
Reversed speed limit by 1 July (km/h) |
Approved speed limit from 1 July (km/h) |
|
SH3 Whanganui From north of Tirimoana Place to south of Turere Place |
0.77 |
50 |
70 |
50 |
