SH75 Halswell Road speed limit review

Public consultation open

22 January 2026

It's time to look at speed limits

Kia ora

This update is a little different from our usual progress emails, as it focuses on an important safety and efficiency step: checking whether speed limits are still right for this road.

Indicative map: proposed speed change on SH75 Halswell Road, from south of Augustine Drive to north of Dunbars Road

Speed limit change proposal

We’re proposing a speed limit change from south of Augustine Drive to north of Dunbars Road:

• Current speed: 60km/h
• Proposed speed: 50km/h.

While both speed limits are appropriate for the upgrade, our safety assessment shows the increasingly busy road environment makes 50km/h more forgiving in a crash. As well as increasing the severity of any crash, higher speeds can contribute to longer disruptions when a serious incident closes the road - sometimes for several hours.

Why change?

• To align with adjoining sections of road for route consistency
• To reflect the upgrade and increasing numbers of people living and working in the area, along with more vehicles, pedestrians and people cycling
• To improve safety for everyone by reducing crash severity.

What does this mean for you?

Key estimates:

• Travel time: 4 seconds longer per trip for all vehicles
• Safety: 17% fewer injury crashes
• Cost: $40,000 - a modest investment for a more connected, safer community.

Have your say

While the physical improvements continue, this consultation is a separate but important step required under the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024.

This proposal for SH75 Halswell Road is one of several targeted speed limit change proposals on short sections of state highway located in Canterbury, the West Coast and Southland. View all proposal details on our website and provide feedback online.

Fill out the short surveys - choose the locations that matter to you - by 5pm 6 March.

Click the link: www.nzta.govt.nz/southernspeed

Thank you

Your feedback helps to ensure road users, local knowledge and community experience contributes to decision making. Your input will help shape final decisions under the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024.

About state highway speed limits

The Government’s Setting of Speed Limits 2024 (the Rule) sets out how speed limits on New Zealand roads are managed to support economic growth, improve safety and keep people moving efficiently.

These proposals meet the requirements of the Rule which includes a 6-week consultation period before decisions are made. If approved, new limits will take effect once signs are installed and uncovered.

The Rule supports a targeted approach to speed management by focusing reviews on areas with high safety risk, helping NZ Police meet speed-related enforcement targets, and using variable speed limits outside schools.

NZTA's approach to state highway speed management under the Rule focuses on:

• Variable speed limits outside schools
• High-risk rural intersections
• Speed limits needed for safety improvements and projects
• A small number of community requests that meet strict criteria.

More information:
Speed management overview: www.nzta.govt.nz/state-highway-speed-management
Speed limits outside schools: www.nzta.govt.nz/schools-and-kura
Safety cameras: www.nzta.govt.nz/safety-cameras
Submit a request: www.nzta.govt.nz/suggest-a-speed-limit-change