Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) wants to know what the Central community thinks about speed changes proposed for highways as part of a nationwide draft Interim Speed Highway Management Plan (ISHMP).

The consultation period closes on Monday (December 12) at 5pm.

The plan proposes new speed limits on parts of the state highway network, particularly around schools and some marae. 

Some Central schools are affected by proposed reduced speed limits, including a variable 30 km/h. They are Tarras School, Alexandra School, Roxburgh Area School, Māniototo Area School, and St Gerard’s School (Alexandra).

Elsewhere in Otago, speed reductions or variable speed limits are proposed for schools sited on SH1, 6, 83, 87 and 90.

View the Ōtāko Interim State Highway Speed Management background and maps here.

Waka Kotahi programme and standards national manager Vanessa Browne said speeds across New Zealand need to be managed in conjunction with other elements such as infrastructure, safe vehicles and safe drivers. 

“The plan isn’t proposing to stop crashes from happening, this simply will not happen. 

“However, we can focus on reducing the harm that happens when people make mistakes.”

In the consultation document Waka Kotahi says they aim to have 40 per cent of proposed school speed limit changes by June 2024, and all school speed limit changes implemented by the end of 2027.

People can submit feedback online here.