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    Speed limits to reverse under new government rule

    Speed limits are set to increase on some Far North District roads in response to a government decision to reverse speed changes made by councils across the country.

    Under a government rule that came into effect in October 2024, councils must reverse speed limits implemented since 2020. At the time of its decision, it was widely reported that the government wanted to reverse all speed limit changes. That is not the case. The rule only reverses speed limits on roads that are ‘urban connectors’, and permanent 30kph reductions outside schools. In the Far North, that will impact six urban connector roads and another 25 outside schools.

    Urban connectors are roads that primarily move traffic from one area to another. While some drivers use these roads to access properties en route, most use them to transit between towns or settlements. There are 23 local roads categorised as urban connectors within the district. Six Far North urban connector roads will see speed limits return to 50km/h in coming weeks. Those are:

    1. Franklin Street, Ōpua (30 to 50km/h)
    2. Hone Heke Road, Kerikeri (40-50km/h)
    3. Joyces Road. Paihia (30-50km/h)
    4. Landing Road, Kerikeri (40-50km/h)
    5. School Road, Paihia (30-50km/h)
    6. Waipapa Road (between Edkins Road and Landing Road) (40-50km/h).

    The new rule also specifies that 30kmp/h speed limits outside school entrances should be replaced by variable speed limits. These are slower speeds applied only for 45 minutes during drop-off and pick-up times, or for a maximum of 10 minutes at other times.

    Permanent 30kph speed limits are currently applied to 25 roadways outside 15 Far North schools. These will be reversed by July 2025. Those schools are:

    1. Ahipara School
    2. Broadwood Area School
    3. Kerikeri High School
    4. Kerikeri Primary
    5. Kohukohu School
    6. Moerewa School
    7. One School Global Campus
    8. Opua School
    9. Paihia School
    10. Riverview School
    11. Te Kura a Iwi O Pawarenga
    12. TKKM O Taumarere
    13. Te Kura o Matihetihe
    14. Te Kura Taumata O Panguru
    15. Umawera School.

    A further 51 Far North roads outside schools will have variable speed limits applied by July 2026.

    Far North District Council has sent a full list to NZTA Waka Kotahi of roads where the changes apply. The agency has agreed to provide total funding assistance of $503,000 for the changes. This is in line with the normal 71 per cent financial assistance rate NZTA provides to Far North District Council. The council has also set aside funds in the Long Term Plan 2024-2027 to cover its share of implementing the speed changes. The final cost of the speed changes is not yet known, as the council is still in negotiations with contractors who will complete signage and other changes.

    The government’s decision to change speed limits is final and there will be no opportunity to consult with the community on the new limits. You can read more about the speed limit changes in agenda item 6.6 in the Te Koukou - Transport and Infrastructure Committee Meeting here.