Variable speed limits
There will soon be changes to speed limits around 21 Waipā schools. These changes are to improve safety for all road users, especially students, during school drop-off and pick-up times. They are required under national regulation, the Government’s 2024 speed limit rule.
Urban schools will have a variable 30km/h speed limit for up to 300 metres from school gates, and rural schools a variable 60km/h speed limit for up to 600 metres.
Speed limits will only apply for short periods at the start and end of the school day. This only applies on days when schools are open and for short periods when there is high activity at the school, such as sports days. Outside of these times, the current speed limits will remain.
The speed limits will need to be reduced during the pick-up and drop-off times for 18 schools. Paterangi, Koromatua and Pokuru schools' only change is the distance between the variable speed signs. 12 schools already have the appropriate speeds in place.
Below are interactive maps showing the proposed variable speed limits for each Waipā school.
Benefits of these changes
Cambridge, Leamington and Roto-o-Rangi
This map includes the schools in:
- Cambridge: Cambridge East School, Cambridge Middle School, Cambridge High School, Cambridge Primary School, St Peter's Catholic School and St Peter's School
- Leamington: Leamington School
- Kaipaki: Kaipaki School
- Roto-o-Rangi: Roto-o-Rangi School
The schools are highlighted in different colours based on speed limit changes:
- Green: no changes in speed limit
- Orange: changes in distance between speed signs
- Red: changes in speed limit
How to use the map:
- You can view all the highlighted schools in various colours. If you know a school's address, you can enter it in the search bar to find it.
- When you click on a school symbol, additional information about the speed limit changes will be provided.
- You can also zoom in on the map to see the proposed location of where the variable speed signs will be placed near each school.
Cambridge North and Te Miro
This map includes the schools in:
- Cambridge North: Hautapu School and Goodwood School
- Te Miro: Te Miro School
The schools are highlighted in different colours based on speed limit changes:
- Green: no changes in speed limit
- Orange: changes in distance between speed signs
- Red: changes in speed limit
How to use the map:
- You can view all the highlighted schools in various colours. If you know a school's address, you can enter it in the search bar to find it.
- When you click on a school symbol, additional information about the speed limit changes will be provided.
- You can also zoom in on the map to see the proposed location of where the variable speed signs will be placed near each school.
Hamilton
This map includes the schools in:
- Hamilton: Te Kura Amorangi o Whakawātea and Southcity Christian School
- Temple View: Koromatua School
The schools are highlighted in different colours based on speed limit changes:
- Green: no changes in speed limit
- Orange: changes in distance between speed signs
- Red: changes in speed limit
How to use the map:
- You can view all the highlighted schools in various colours. If you know a school's address, you can enter it in the search bar to find it.
- When you click on a school symbol, additional information about the speed limit changes will be provided.
- You can also zoom in on the map to see the proposed location of where the variable speed signs will be placed near each school.
Maungatautari, Pukeatua, Wharepapa South and Karāpiro
This map includes the schools in:
- Horahora School
- Pukeatua School
- Wharepapa South School
- Karāpiro School
The schools are highlighted in different colours based on speed limit changes:
- Green: no changes in speed limit
- Orange: changes in distance between speed signs
- Red: changes in speed limit
How to use the map:
- You can view all the highlighted schools in various colours. If you know a school's address, you can enter it in the search bar to find it.
- When you click on a school symbol, additional information about the speed limit changes will be provided.
- You can also zoom in on the map to see the proposed location of where the variable speed signs will be placed near each school.
Ōhaupō, Ngāhinapōuri and Te Pahu
This map includes the following schools:
- Ōhaupō School
- Paterangi School
- Pirongia School
- Ngāhinapōuri School
- Rukuhia School
- Te Pahu School
The schools are highlighted in different colours based on speed limit changes and location:
- Green: no changes in speed limit
- Orange: changes in distance between speed signs
- Red: changes in speed limit
- Purple: schools located on a state highway
How to use the map:
- You can view all the highlighted schools in various colours. If you know a school's address, you can enter it in the search bar to find it.
- When you click on a school symbol, additional information about the speed limit changes will be provided.
- You can also zoom in on the map to see the proposed location of where the variable speed signs will be placed near each school.
Te Awamutu, Kihikihi, Pokuru and Roto-o-Rangi
This map includes the schools in:
- Te Awamutu: Pekapekarau Primary School, Te Awamutu College, St Patrick's Catholic School, Te Awamutu Primary School, Te Awamutu Intermediate, Waipa Christian School, Te Wharekura o Nga Purapura o Te Aroha
- Kihikihi: Kihikihi Primary School
- Puahue: Puahue School
- Pokuru: Pokuru School
- Roto-o-Rangi: Roto-o-Rangi School
The schools are highlighted in different colours based on speed limit changes:
- Green: no changes in speed limit
- Orange: changes in distance between speed signs
- Red: changes in speed limit
How to use the map:
- You can view all the highlighted schools in various colours. If you know a school's address, you can enter it in the search bar to find it.
- When you click on a school symbol, additional information about the speed limit changes will be provided.
- You can also zoom in on the map to see the proposed location of where the variable speed signs will be placed near each school.
FAQs
In 2024, the Government introduced new speed limit rules. The Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits (the Rule) requires schools to have a safe speed limit during pick-up and drop-off times.
We are required to use all reasonable efforts to ensure Waipā schools comply with the new Rule by 1 July 2026. The Rule does not require public consultation for these changes to happen, but we do require NZTA’s approval before implementing the changes.
Variable speed limits help make roads safer for children during school pick-up and drop-off times. Lower speed limits and extra signage alert drivers that children may be nearby and encourage extra care.
These limits also make vehicle movements safer during busy school pick-up and drop-off periods. Because the lower speeds only apply at these times, traffic can move normally outside school hours when children aren’t present.
Research shows that when vehicles travel at 40km/h or less, the chance of serious injury to a child hit by a car drops sharply. The faster a vehicle is going, the more severe the injuries will be. International research shows that 30km/h is the safest speed to greatly reduce the risk of a pedestrian being killed or badly hurt. The risk of death roughly doubles between 30km/h and 40km/h, and doubles again between 40km/h and 50km/h. This risk is even higher for vulnerable people like young children and the elderly. Vehicle speeds also affect how safe people feel walking, biking, or travelling with children along the same road.
New speed limit signs will be installed which will be either electronic or static (typical speed limit signs). Static speed limit signs will clearly state when the variable speed limit applies.
Static sign example:
Electronic variable speed limit sign:
Electronic signs will be installed on busy roads or areas where it would be difficult for drivers to notice the signs.
Variable speed limits are enforceable speed limits that can be activated during peak school traffic times. The school zone speed limits will operate at the start and end time of the school travel period, not exceeding 45 minutes either side of the bell.
The final timing will be set after discussion with the individual schools. They may also operate for 10 minutes at any other time when there is school related activity on the road.
For the rest of the time outside of these hours, the regular permanent speed limit will apply. Variable speed limits are enforceable by law.
Lower speed limits in school zones have very little effect on overall travel time. In urban areas, travel time is mostly affected by traffic levels, intersections, and pedestrian crossings and not the speed limit. Because school zones cover only short distances, the time difference is usually less than 15 seconds.
For each school we have identified the entrances to the school, and suggested the length of road that we think is appropriate for the variable speed limit.
In most cases it is 300 metres but in some cases it may be shorter or longer. We are working with the schools to finalise the placement of the signage.
NZTA is expected to provide a funding contribution for the costs to implement the variable speed limit changes outside schools at our agreed funding assistance rate of 51%, with the remaining 49% being ratepayer funded.
Right now, we’re focused on meeting the Rule’s requirements by setting safe speed limits around schools.
Other community requests for speed limit changes aren’t currently funded, so they will need to be considered in future years.
If funding becomes available, Council will review and consult with the community on any further changes in Waipā, following the Rule’s process for setting permanent speed limits on different types of roads.
Timeline
-
Timeline item 1 - complete
Introduction of Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024
30 October 2024
-
Timeline item 2 - active
Engagement with schools
March 2026
-
Timeline item 3 - incomplete
Seek funding from NZTA
March - April 2026
-
Timeline item 4 - incomplete
Council workshop and Community Board input once decisions known from NZTA
TBC
-
Timeline item 5 - incomplete
Service Delivery decision report
Wednesday, June 17
-
Timeline item 6 - incomplete
Seek approval from Director of Land Transport NZTA
TBC
-
Timeline item 7 - incomplete
Installation of new signage
The implementation will depend on NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi's funding support.
We are looking at installing these new signs in both 2025-26 and/or 2026-27 financial years.
