Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Andrew Corkill, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Director Regional Relationships for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, says the support for these lower speeds came from many different avenues, and in particular, local residents.
“We received a total of 982 submissions on the 4 speed limit reviews we undertook in the Coromandel Peninsula region. Across the Peninsula, the majority of submitters saw benefits in lowering the speed limit on all proposed sections of SH25. For Motutere, the majority was even higher, with 90% of the 751 submitters seeing positive benefits.”
In Kūaotunu, 71% and 69% felt there were positive benefits in lowering 2 sections of SH25 from 70km/h to 50km/h. In Wharekaho, 63% were positive about speed limits going from 70km/h to 50km/h in their area, and 58% saw the benefits of changing the speed limit to 50km/h between Thames and Tararu.
Many said that a lower speed limit would be safer for pedestrians and cyclists using the road, particularly where there were few footpaths and narrow roads and a lot of people crossing the state highways.
“The new speed limits in all areas will be implemented in the next few days, before Christmas,” says Mr Corkill. “The communities were very keen to see the lower speeds in place quickly before the peak summer holiday season arrives, and we were able to give these reviews priority to make this happen.”
The speed limit changes have been certified by the Director of Land Transport. This follows 6 weeks public consultation with partners, stakeholders and the community from August to October this year. The enforcement of the new speed limits will become legal once the new signage is in place.
Specific information
| Location | Length (km) | Existing speed limit (km/h) | New speed limit km/h |
| SH25 Kūaotunu (western approach) from about 200m south of Hilldale Crescent, past the boat ramp to just before Kawhero Drive | 1.2 | 70 | 50 |
| SH25 Kūaotunu (eastern approach) from 150m past Blackjack Road to 115m past Cemetery Road | 1 | 70 | 50 |
| SH25 Wharekaho (southern approach) from near Leah Road, Wharekaho to near Harbour Lights Terrace | 1 | 80 | 50 |
| SH25 Thames to Tararu from north of Burke Street, Thames to north of Ash Street, Tararu. Will join existing lengths of 50km/h that run through Tararu and Thames urban areas | 1.8 | 70 | 50 |
| SH1 Motutere from approx. 425m on each side of the entrance to the Motutere Holiday Park | 0.85 | 100 | 60 |
More information on the permanent speed limits and our consultation summaries can be found on the NZTA website:
The other speed limit reviews consulted on at the same time as SH25 are still going through the decision-making process and should be available soon. This includes SH2 at Karangahake and Waihī, an intersection speed zone near Hamilton Airport (SH21) and 2 variable speed limits outside Raungaiti and Ūkaipō marae on SH27 and SH29.
