We are proposing safer speed limits on part of State Highway 5 and on State Highway 51.

Setting safer speeds for Hawke's Bay

After reviewing speeds, we are now formally consulting on new permanent speed limits for State Highway 51 (SH51), between Waipatu in Hastings and Marine Parade in Napier, and the winding section of State Highway 5 (SH5), from Rangitaiki to Esk Valley.

These sections have been chosen because communities have asked for speeds to be lowered and because they have a high crash risk. 

We want to know what you think before we make a decision.

We also want to hear your thoughts about the remaining sections of SH5 which include Esk Valley and the Rangitaiki Straights to help us decide if we should propose new speeds here in the future too.

Speed increases both the likelihood of crashes and the severity of crashes when they happen. A small reduction in speed can make a big difference, especially when cyclists or pedestrians are involved. Most crashes are caused by a number of factors, but even when it’s not the cause of a crash, speed is most likely to determine whether anyone is killed, injured or walks away unharmed.

We’re working towards a future where no-one is killed or seriously injured in road crashes in Aotearoa New Zealand. Lots of change is needed to get us there but there is one thing we can do that will make a huge difference immediately – ensure speed limits are safe and right for the road.

Since 2010, more than 150 people have either lost their life or been seriously injured as a result of crashes on State Highway 51 (SH51) and State Highway 5 (SH5). These are whanau, friends and workmates.

Please share this email amongst your networks and community and have your say today.

Warm regards,

Emma Speight 

Regional Relationship Director (Lower North Island)

SH51 between Waipatu in Hastings and Marine Parade in Napier

We are proposing new speed limits in the following parts of this corridor:

SH5 Rangitaiki to Esk Valley

There has been a high number of crashes on this highway over the past 10 years and the majority have been in the section where we are proposing a 80km/h speed limit.

We’re also reviewing speeds on either end of this corridor including Esk Valley and Rangitaiki Straights. This will see us engaging with the local community this month at the same time as the consultation on proposed speed changes.  This feedback will help to inform any future consultation on these two sections if Waka Kotahi decides to propose a change. 

How to have your say | Ka pēhea te kōrero mai

• Share your feedback online at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/hawkes-bay-speed-review
• Pick up a submission form from your local council or library and post it to us 
• Download a submission form off our website and email it to Hawkesbay.speed.reviews@nzta.govt.nz

Feedback is open from Monday 12 April 2021 until 11pm on Sunday 9 May 2021.

More information

For more information on the SH5/SH51 Hawke’s Bay speed review project, contact us at hawkesbay.speed.reviews@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/hawkes-bay-speed-review