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We all want our roads to be as safe as they can be - for our whānau, our tamariki and our friends.

You’ll remember a few years ago we asked for feedback on speed limits on our roads.

The Oparure community were adamant they wanted a 50km/h zone near the marae and wharekura.

We listened, and added it to our Speed Management Plan. But in 2024 the rules changed - NZTA now set the speed limits and the 50km/h zone is no longer valid for Oparure Road.

We are now required to go through another consultation process with the community to retain the 50km/h zone.

What is the speed change proposal?

Waitomo District Council is proposing to change the existing 80km/h speed limit on Oparure Road to 50km/h, approximately from 100m west of Fullerton Road to 600m west of Boddies Road intersections.

Additional electronic speed signs are also proposed approximately 300m from the wharekura entrance for both approaches on Oparure Road. The objective of the proposal is to set a safe speed limit around Te Wharekura o Maniapoto (wharekura) and Oparure Marae to improve safety for all tamariki and whānau travelling to and from these locations.

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Why are we proposing to change the speed limit?

Central Government and NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) implemented a new Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 on 30 October 2024, which revoked the previous 2022 version.
The Rule requires road controlling authorities to use reasonable efforts to ensure that all schools in their district have safe speed limits set in accordance with the Rule by 1 July 2026.

Why are we undertaking consultation again?

Under the 2022 version, Waitomo District Council’s roading team undertook consultation and developed a Speed Management Plan (SMP) which planned to change the speed
limits outside Te Wharekura o Maniapoto and Oparure Marae.

The change involved:

• existing 80km/h speed limit being reduced to a permanent 50km/h speed limit from 95m east of Fullerton Road to 580m west of Boddies Road
• installing traffic calming treatments on Oparure Road on both approaches to the kura (ie. speed humps or road markings)

When the 2022 Rule was revoked, any approved SMPs had no legal effect and road controlling authorities were instructed by NZTA to either start a new SMP or use the alternative method following the processes in the new rule.

Why the change from 80km/h to 50km/h?

Reducing the speed limit on this road will greatly improve safety for all tamariki and whānau travelling to and from the wharekura and marae. As speed limits are now set by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), Council has to submit the proposal for consideration following further community consultation. Under the previous consultation, Council received positive feedback from the wider Oparure community regarding a speed reduction outside the wharekura and marae.

Key information and dates

Some questions answered

Why is Council consulting on a new speed limit for Oparure Road?
The road outside Te Wharekura o Maniapoto currently has a speed limit of 80km/h. The first
consultation under the old rule agreed to reduce the speed of Oparure Road outside the kura and marae to a permanent 50km/h speed limit. 

However, since the old rule was revoked by Central Government, implementation of the speed limit change has halted and WDC installed temporary speed limit restriction of 50km/h as a temporary solution until a final solution is  implemented.

Why does this consultation not focus on drivers?
Even the most skilled drivers make mistakes. Speed limits provide the safest possible environment for drivers and their passengers and other road users. Council will continue to promote road safety, and that includes public education campaigns targeting drivers.

Who will enforce the new speed limit?
If the new permanent speed limit is accepted by NZTA, Police will enforce. (Policing is not the job of Council or Council staff.)

If the new permanent speed limit gets approved, what happens next?
By law, Council must submit the proposed change to the Director of Land Transport. If approved,
Council will then start implementing the change. That will include installing new speed limit signs.

If I have a concern about another road not included in this consultation, what can I do?
Speed limits on all roads are now set by NZTA. Council undertook a consultation in 2023 regarding the setting of speed limits across the district, ahead of the 2024 Central Government regulation change. We are unable to consider your issue as part of this process, but we value your feedback and may look at it in future.