South Wairarapa District Council’s Speed Management Plan has been formally approved by the Director of Land Transport, clearing the way for new speed limits across South Wairarapa.

The changes, aligned with the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024, will apply to roads within three priority areas:

• Peri-urban roads that connect residential areas on the edge of town that connect residential areas just outside the main urban centres where land use is primarily residential but lower density than typical urban areas.
• Coastal settlement roads located in areas of residential settlements along the coast.
• Unsealed roads, often referred to as gravel or dirt roads, which account for approximately 30% of South Wairarapa’s roading network.

Community input played a key role in shaping the plan, with more than 200 submissions received during consultation earlier this year where feedback supported safer speeds in high-risk areas.

Variable speed limits will also be introduced around eight schools to improve safety for all children and their families travelling to and from school.

Implementation will begin in early 2026, starting with variable limits outside schools in time for term one, followed by staged rollouts across the wider network throughout the year.

The approved Speed Management Plan and full details of the changes are available at:

– Director approval to set speed limits
– Variable speeds around schools
– Final speed management plan

ENDS

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