Speed Management Plan – Next Steps Following New Government Legislation

UPDATE: Safer speeds around our schools - May 2026

We’re making changes to speed limits around schools across our District to help keep tamariki and whānau safe.

The New Zealand Government has introduced new national rules — the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024. These rules apply across the country and set out how speed limits must be managed. Because this is national legislation, Council is required to implement these changes as directed.

What this means for our District

To create a safer and more consistent approach, speed limits outside all schools in our District will be reduced to 30 km/h during school drop-off and pick-up times.

The only exception is schools located on state highways, which are managed separately.

You’ll see these changes introduced using a mix of:

Electronic variable speed signs, which change during school times
Static signs, where these are more suitable for the location

What happens next?

We’re currently planning the rollout across the District.

Works are expected to begin in early June 2026, with new signage installed progressively outside schools over the following three months (weather permitting).

We’ll keep this page updated with timing and progress as the rollout gets underway

Background: Changes following new government legislation.

In 2023, we consulted with you and the Western Bay of Plenty community on a proposed Speed Management Plan.

We received a fantastic response from our community and thank you to everyone who provided feedback.

Since then, the New Zealand Government has introduced new legislation – the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 – which changes how councils must approach speed management.

As a result, our previously adopted plan must now be updated to align with these new government requirements. This is a mandatory process, and all councils across Aotearoa New Zealand are required to comply.

The most immediate focus of the legislation is the introduction of mandatory variable speed limits outside school gates, which must be implemented by 1 July 2026.

To meet this requirement, Council is progressing an Alternative Method Proposal, focused specifically on school speed limits which was presented to Councils Strategy and Policy Committee meeting on 31 July 2025, and approved.

This approach will enable us to begin implementation, while a more comprehensive update to the full Speed Management Plan will be developed at a later stage.

We’ll keep you updated on what this means for our district’s roads – including when the new rules will be rolled out and what changes may affect your local area.