Proposed Speed Limit Changes - Makirikiri and Te Rehunga South Roads
Closes Wednesday 17 September 2025
To keep young New Zealanders safe as they arrive at or leave school, the Government has introduced a new national rule requiring all councils to implement variable speed limits outside school gates.
By 1 July 2026, local streets outside all schools in urban areas will be required to have a 30km/h variable speed limit up to 150 metres from school entrances. Rural roads that are outside schools with higher surrounding speed limits will be required to have variable speed limits of 60km/h or less up to 300m from school entrances. These speed limits are required no more than 45 minutes either side of the school bell at the start and end of each school day. Check out the project page here.
For 18 of the 20 schools within Tararua, we are able to easily install the new variable speed zone signs without creating any confusion with the existing permanent speed limits, and no public consultation is required for these 18 schools. For 2 schools however (Ruahine School and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Tamaki Nui A Rua), we are investigating options around how we accommodate the new variable speed zones on Makirikiri and Te Rehunga South Roads.
Where the existing 70km/hr permanent speed signs are located it will be difficult to accommodate new signs without creating confusing or conflicting information for drivers.
While the setting of variable speed limits outside the schools in these areas (Ruahine and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Tamaki Nui A Rua) is straightforward and doesn’t require council to consult with the public, any changes to permanent speed zone areas triggers public consultation requirements under the new Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024, therefore we are seeking public feedback on the various options.
Full information on the new government requirements for schools to set variable speed limits outside schools can be viewed here (Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024) along with Council’s draft Alternative Method Proposal (the document required by NZTA to seek approval for implementing variable speed limits outside schools).
What are the options?
Ruahine School
Ruahine School is located within an existing 70km/hr zone. In order to accommodate the new variable speed zone sign, the following options being considered:
Option 1: Extend the permanent 70km/hr zone further out along Te Rehunga South Road and introduce a 30km/hr variable speed zone sign within 150m from the school gate.
Option 2: Seek approval from NZTA to trial a new mechanical ‘dual’ speed sign which reverts from 70km/hr permanent to 30km/hr variable during school drop off and pick up times. This sign is expected to have higher maintenance costs compared to static signs.
Option 3: Revert the existing permanent 70km/hr zone back to 100km/hr and classify Ruahine School as a Category 2 school with a 50km/hr variable speed limit during school drop off and pick up times (to be consistent with some other rural schools).
The preferred option is Option 1, which would see the existing permanent speed limit retained but slightly extended to accommodate the new variable sign. This option would result in the lowest additional cost but also retain the safety factor of 70km/hr outside school travel periods.
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Tamaki Nui A Rua
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Tamaki Nui A Rua is located within an existing 70km/hr zone on Makirikiri Road. In order to accommodate the new variable speed zone sign, the following options are being considered:
Option 1: Extend the existing 70km/hr permanent speed zone slightly further out to accommodate a variable 30km/hr variable speed zone sign within 150m from the school gate.
Option 2: Seek approval from NZTA to trial a new mechanical ‘dual’ speed sign which reverts from 70km/hr permanent to 30km/hr variable during school drop off and pick up times. This sign is expected to have higher maintenance costs compared to static signs.
Option 3: Extend the existing 70km/hr along the full stretch of Makirikiri Road to align with the adjoining State Highway and Miller Street and address safety concerns raised for this road. A 30km/hr variable speed zone will be introduced up to 150m from the school gate.
The preferred option is Option 3, which would see the 70km/hr permanent speed zone extended to meet the existing 70km/hr zone at the other end of the road. The average speed of this road is 72km/hr so the impact on traffic would be minimal, and it would address safety concerns raised by the school around vehicles travelling at speed along Makirikiri Road. The road is also narrow with an out-of-context corner and single lane bridge so a lower permanent speed limit would reduce the risk associated with these hazards.