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Between 2 April – 14 May 2025, we consulted with road users, councils, communities and iwi on 2 ‘urban connector’ state highway locations in Gisborne, as part of a proposal to reconfirm lower speeds. These were SH35 through Okitū and Tamarau.

Background 

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 2 in Gisborne, where the community strongly supported keeping the current lower speed limits.

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 these 2 sections of road. The speed reviews included consultation, and considered safety, technical, cost benefit and other data, alongside community feedback, to determine if we should reconfirm the lower speed limits, as proposed.

More information on speed reduction reversals

Speed review outcome

NZTA would like to thank people for providing feedback during consultation. We heard that the majority of people thought reconfirming the lower speed limits on both sections would have positive benefits, particularly for people walking and cycling and tamariki travelling to school.

View the consultation summary report to understand the consultation outcome and how community feedback was considered alongside technical, safety and economic information.

Gisborne consultation summary report [PDF, 1.2 MB]

View the SH35 Gisborne Tamarau Cost Benefit Disclosure Statement 80 to 60 [PDF, 156 KB]

View the SH35 Gisborne Tamarau Cost Benefit Disclosure Statement 70 to 60 [PDF, 159 KB]

View the SH35 Okitū Cost Benefit Disclosure Statement 70 to 60 [PDF, 149 KB]

Approved speed limits

The following speed limits have been approved by the Director of Land Transport.

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)

SH35 Gisborne/Tamarau

From east of Wheatstone Road to north-west of Coldstream Road.

1.08

60

70/80

60

SH35 Okitū

South-west of Wairere Road to north of Sirrah Street

2.59

60

70

60