Ka whakahaumaru ake te rori o SH10 | Safer speed limits for SH10 to be introduced in October

New safer permanent speed limits are just around the corner on a 7km stretch of State Highway 10 between Awanui and Kaingaroa.

Waka Kotahi is moving as fast as possible under legal process to implement the changes, with the speed limits set to take effect from 22 October 2021.

Ngā mihi i ō koutou whakaaro | Thanks for your feedback

To everyone who took the time to share their thoughts on this speed review, thank you. Your insights provided us with valuable information about how communities are using this road, so that we could ensure the speeds are right for the road and safe for everyone.

These changes are the result of calls from the community and iwi to investigate what could be done to make this part of State Highway 10 safer as well as part of our wider programme to ensure there are safe and appropriate speeds on all state highways in New Zealand.

Ngā whakaritenga hōu | The changes

From 22 October 2021, the permanent speed limits are:

SH10: Existing 100km/h area from 455m southwest of Pukewhai Road to 610m northeast of Duncan Road – 80km/h

SH10: Existing 100km/h area through Kaingaroa from 610m northeast of Duncan Road to 360m southwest of Duncan Road – 60km/h

SH10: Existing 100km/h area from 360m southwest of Duncan Road to 1.480km southwest of Pairatahi Road – 80km/h

SH10: Existing 100km/h area through Kareponia from 1.480km southwest of Pairatahi Road to 1.275km northeast of Godinovich Road – 60km/h

SH10: Existing 100km/h area from 1.275km northeast of Godinovich Road to 430m west of Kumi Road – 80km/h

SH10: Extending the existing 50km/h area by 190m east of Awanui, from 430m west of Kumi Road to SH10/SH1 intersection – 50km/h

View larger map [PDF, 341 KB]

Te kōrero ki te hapori | Consultation process

With any project like this, thorough research and technical advice must be undertaken and considered before changes are made, and this process can be lengthy. In the case of this speed review, we held two rounds of formal consultation. In the second round (in November 2020) we updated our original proposal to include the use of variable speed limit signs outside marae. We remain committed to developing solutions for the areas near these marae, however the complexity of variable speed limits means that they will take longer to resolve.

In the meantime, we acknowledge the urgent need to implement a permanent safe and appropriate speed for this section of state highway. This need was highlighted by the devastating crash on 28 September, involving a young boy in the settlement of Kareponia.

The outcome for the speed limit changes aligns with the speed limit changes proposed last November. However, solutions for those areas near the marae at Kareponia and Mahimaru will be delivered at a later date.

Ngā mahi | What to expect

The permanent speed limit changes will initially be posted using temporary signs at the above locations. They will be replaced once permanent signs are available, approximately 3-5 weeks later. There will also be road widening work taking place at Kareponia, scheduled for 2022.

Ngā mea pānui | More information

Further details including the consultation summary and submissions, will be available on our website shortly at:
nzta.govt.nz/awanui-to-kaingaroa