Speed limit changes proposed for Taupō-Tūrangi route

One of the notorious sections of road between Taupō and Tūrangi is narrow, windy section at Bulli Pt.

PHOTO: WAIKATO REGIONAL COUNCIL

The Taupō-Tūrangi road corridor is back in the news – though this time not for a road closing crash

Consultation is now open on the coalition government’s announcement that speed limits dropped in 2020 will revert to 100km/h on several of the country’s highways – affecting three sections of State Highway 1 (Hatepe to Hallets Bay, Motutere to Waitetoko, Motuoapa to Tūrangi) which would go up from 80km/h and one (Hallets Bay to Motutere/Bulli Point) which jump up from 60km/h.

Under the new rule announced in late January by newly minted Minister of Transport Chris Bishop, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is required to reverse the speed limits on all sections of road classed as interregional connectors, unless consultation shows public support to keep them lowered.

The four ‘interregional’ sections totalling 17.86km that NZTA is consulting on between Taupō and Tūrangi are connected and offer few passing opportunities.

The Taupō and Tūrangi News has calculated that travelling at 100km/h along these contiguous sections would save about four minutes over the 17.86km, compared to the current lowered limits.

But comment on the proposal by Taupō MP National’s Louise Upston toed the party ‘growth’ line.

She backed the reversals in a release, saying: “We are delivering what we promised at the election – reversing Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions so that Kiwis aren’t slowed down unnecessarily.”

Speed limit changes supported economic growth, she said, adding that the changes had resulted in her being contacted by far more people concerned about arbitrary speed reductions than those who were delighted with them, but people would have an opportunity to submit their views.

“We must consider the safety of road users and pedestrians alongside efficiency. NZTA has a responsibility to keep people safe and safety will always be a priority when making decisions about speed limits on our roads,” Upston’s statement concluded.

However, in an interview with Lake FM’s Jesse Archer, Labour Spokesperson for Transport Tangi Utikere questioned the overall economic rationale for the changes.

“When we actually dive down into the time savings many of them are 15 seconds, 20 seconds, you know, less than a minute.

“I’ve asked the former Transport Minister, Simeon Brown, what evidence did he have around making those changes that have been locked in?… And the short answer was, well, there was no evidence… (But) the reality is that speed does kill.

“So, this is clearly the government’s intention to deliver on a campaign promise for political purposes and political reasons rather than actually thinking about the safety of families, the safety of communities, of road users.”

Utikere also questioned whether the consultation would be meaningful engagement, stressing local communities needed to be listened to.

“This is not just purely a numbers game about how many people will submit. It really needs to be based on community feedback alongside real evidence before these changes are implemented.”

In describing the section of highway, NZTA said there were numerous roadside hazards along the route such as large trees and roadside drains, along with a particularly winding section adjacent to Lake Taupō north of Motutere.

The road also had tight corners and steep drop-offs. (Sections through Waitahanui and Waitetoko/Tauranga Taupō Bay were not classified as interregional connectors so were not included in the consultation.) NZTA crash data (up until September 2024) for these stretches of State Highway showed that in the 10 years before the speed limit was changed there was one fatal and seven serious injury crashes. However, data since the change in speeds could not be directly compared, said NZTA, as there was not enough for robust analysis.

In statement accompanying the figures NZTA noted:

“Crashes on this route can cause extensive delays and long detours if there are road closures.”

Of the reduced speed limits in October 2020 NZTA also said:

“At the time, the community agreed speed limits seemed too high, particularly through the lakeside settlements, and the mix of pedestrians, cyclists, tourists, trucks, buses, campervans and people towing boats and trailers created safety issues for everyone, especially during peak summer months…

A large majority of submissions supported lower speeds along the full corridor. There was strong support for lowerspeeds through the villages of Waitahanui, Motutere, Waitetoko, the Tauranga-Taupō Bridge and Motuoapa.”

Public consultation runs until March 13, and councils have until May 1 to advise NZTA of intentions for the local roadsthat are also affected by the new rule to restore former speed limits.

The government expects any changes to be completed by July 1.

The Taupō District Council said it would be considering a submission on the proposed speed limit revisions following further discussions with elected members.

Public submissions on the proposed speed limit reversals can be made through the NZTA website.