Horowhenua District Council Mayor Bernie Wanden is disappointed speed limits on two state highways in the region will soon revert from 80 to 100 km/h.

‘The voice of the community has been ignored – and that means higher risk for all road users,’ he says.

NZTA Waka Kotahi has today announced speed limits will go back up on SH1 from Ōhau to Manakau and Manakau to the Pukehou Overbridge and SH57 from SH1 to Heatherlea East Road.

During a period of public consultation Mayor Bernie led a campaign to keep the speed limits at 80 km/h.

‘These are very busy stretches of road which run past marae, businesses, multiple side roads and the Speldhurst retirement village with its 700 elderly residents,’ says Mayor Bernie.

‘The community was very clear that it wanted the lower speed limits retained, with 65% of local submissions against going back to 100 km/h.

‘Overall submissions, including road users from outside the district, were 55 percent in favour of raising the limits, but this is a pretty close call.

‘And let me be clear – at 100 km/h these roads are more dangerous for everyone.

‘Since speed limits dropped to 80 km/h in 2022 these roads have been safer. NZTA Waka Kotahi data show us there have been no fatal crashes in this period, compared to an average of more than two deaths a year when the speed limit was 100 km/h.

‘Serious injury crashes halved over the same period, from more than three to an average of 1.5 per year.

‘Before the speeds came down it was known as one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the country.’

Mayor Bernie has a plea for drivers, whether Horowhenua locals or those passing through.

‘Please drive to the conditions, not just the speed limit. Saving a few minutes on your travel time is never worth getting into an accident.’

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