The National Speed Limit Register (NSLR) provides an online, maps-based, central source of speed limits for most* roads in New Zealand.
The NSLR enables road controlling authorities (RCAs) to comply with the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 (the Rule) and the Land Transport (Register of Land Transport Records – Speed Limits) Regulations 2022 by allowing them to record, update and share speed limit data.
Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024
Land Transport (Register of Land Transport Records – Speed Limits) Regulations 2022(external link)
Speed limit data is used by the public, organisations who enforce speed limits and increasingly by intelligent systems in vehicles. The NSLR makes it easier for all to access New Zealand speed limit data.
*All legal permanent, variable, emergency (a subcategory of temporary) and seasonal speed limits are in the NSLR. Temporary speed limits (other than emergency speed limits) are not included in the NSLR at this time.
Anyone can search for speed limits, get details of specific speed limits and certified copies of speed limits through the NSLR. which is managed by us in our capacity as regulator.
National Speed Limit Register(external link)
Speed limit data can also be accessed through the NSLR layer of the NZTA Open Data Portal.
Open Data Portal (NSLR layer)(external link)
Within the Open Data Portal, speed limit data can be viewed and filtered in a table as well as downloaded in a variety of formats. APIs can be used to upload data into other applications:
Each RCA is responsible for updating its speed limit records in the NSLR. Each RCA’s designated NSLR users can only create or update speed limit records for roads within their jurisdiction.
Designated users within NZTA (in its capacity as a regulator) also have access to NSLR for setting speed limits. While they may examine some or all submitted speed limit records, the accuracy of the speed limit records is the responsibility of RCAs.
Once an RCA has had a speed management plan certified and published or a speed limit proposal approved via the alternative method (as outlined in the Rule), updates can be made to speed limits in the NSLR by RCAs.
Speed limit changes can be future dated or made closer to the time they come into force and signs are installed.
RCAs are requested to provide at least 10 working days from the date of submitting an approved speed limit record to NZTA for certification within the Register and that record’s assigned start .
To comply with the Rule requirements to reverse certain speed limits,
RCAs must have speed limit records in scope of the reversal provisions entered in the NSLR by 1 May 2025. More guidance on this is available in the Guidance – Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed limits 2024.
Guidance – Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 [PDF, 1.8 MB]
If RCAs can provide NZTA with their reversals lists from February – April 2025 (or before) by completing the template provided, NZTA may be able to assist RCAs by updating speed limit records in the NSLR on their behalf.
Reversals template [XLSX, 347 KB]
To find out more please email speedmanagementprogramme@nzta.govt.nz
The following resources have been developed to support road controlling authorities using the NSLR
If you need a new user account, a list of NSLR users already set up for your RCA or need help using the NSLR, contact geospatialsystems@nzta.govt.nz
