Safer speeds in our neighbourhoods

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Submissions closed at 5pm on Friday 22 July 2022.

Thumbnail image for Speed Management Plan

We're making our roads safer in Horowhenua for everyone, whether you're getting your children to school, driving in streets or visiting another busy area.

Horowhenua District Council is legally required to develop and consult on a Speed Management Plan that is used to set safe and appropriate speed limits in the Horowhenua District, excluding the State Highways as this is the jurisdiction of Waka Kotahi.

The Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022 came into effect in May 2022. It introduces a new way of implementing speed management throughout New Zealand. The primary purpose of this new process is to facilitate the implementation of safe and appropriate speeds to improve safety, save lives, and prevent debilitating injuries.

Why does Speed Management Matter?

Safe and appropriate speeds give people the best chance of survival without serious injury if they are involved in a crash. A pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle at 30km/h has a strong chance of surviving and avoiding serious injury. The probability of a pedestrian being killed rises as impact speed increases. The probability approximately doubles between 30km/h and 40km/h and again from 40k/h to 50km/h.

Children are some of the most vulnerable road users because, compared to adults, they are generally less visible, have a reduced ability to judge distance and speed and have lower levels of impulse control. Safe speeds have significant benefits for children because not only do they reduce the risk of death, injury or near misses but they also increase the opportunity for children to walk and cycle to school.

Road to Zero - New Zealand's Road Safety Strategy

Developing the Speed Management Plan

The first Horowhenua District Speed Management Plan will cover the period between 2024 and 2034 (ten years) and will be updated with community input every three years.

We are seeking your feedback on our draft Speed Management Plan, as this will help us confirm the changes to be made within the first three years of the plan. Let us know any other improvements you would like Council to consider for subsequent Speed Management Plans.

Our Proposal

We are proposing a staged approach to implementing any changes to the transport network.

In developing this first Speed Management Plan, we have applied safe and appropriate speed limits to our district’s roads that prioritise safety while also considering community wellbeing, the whole of the system, function, movement and place.

With our Implementation plan for 2024-27, we are not proposing any changes to a speed limit that does not align with Waka Kotahi’s assessment of what a safe and appropriate speed for the road is. It is also important to note that this Speed Management Plan will exclude the State Highways as these are managed by Waka Kotahi.

We are proposing that our first Speed Management Plan focuses on:

  • Improving safety around schools by applying safe and appropriate speed limits;
  • Applying safe and appropriate speed limits in two Horowhenua communities that have previously asked for speed limits to be reduced; and
  • Confirming a number of speed limits around the district where there are anomalies between the signposted and legal speed limit. This will not result in the change of any of the signposted speed limits.

Implementation Programme 2024-2027
Proposed Speed Limits around Schools

School NameCategoryProposed Speed LimitFurther InformationMaps
Manakau School130 km/hSchool is located within the proposed changes to local roads in ManakauView map
Ōhau School130 km/h
View map
Taitoko School130 km/h
View map
Fairfield School130 km/h
View map
Horowhenua College130 km/h
View map
St Joseph’s School130 km/h
View map
Levin Intermediate130 km/h
View map
Levin School130 km/h
View map
Levin North School130 km/h
View map
Waiopehu College130 km/h
View map
Levin East School130 km/h
View map
Manawatū College130 km/hOption 1 - permanent 30km/h speed limit
Option 2 - variable 30km/h speed limit
View map
Foxton Primary School130 km/hOption 1 - permanent 30km/h speed limit
Option 2 - variable 30km/h speed limit
View map
Coley Street School130 km/h
View map
Foxton Beach School130 km/h
View map
Koputaroa School130 km/hOption 1 - permanent 30km/h speed limit
Option 2 - variable 30km/h speed limit
View map
Ōpiki School130 km/hWaka Kotahi have proposed implementing a 30km/h variable speed limit on SH56View map
Shannon School130 km/hWaka Kotahi have proposed a 30km/h variable speed limit on SH57View map
Tokomaru School130 km/hWaka Kotahi have proposed a variable 30km/h speed limit on SH57View map


Maps – Changes Around Schools

Speed Limits on Local Roads

We are proposing to reduce speed limits in Manakau and Waikawa Beach.

This is because the roads in these areas have some of the following characteristics:

  • They are characterised as local streets that provide quiet and safe residential access for people of all ages and abilities;
  • There are no or few footpaths;
  • People walk, cycle, or ride horses on the road or roadside; and
  • Some of the roads are very narrow.

In addition, members of these communities have previously asked for speed limits to be reduced during the Long Term Plan consultation process. Therefore we are proposing the following changes as shown on the following maps.

If these proposed changes are implemented, to support lower speed limits in these areas, a programme will be developed to deliver infrastructure improvements where necessary to physically change environments to reduce traffic speeds. This increases safety and encourages a shift to multi-modal transport options.

Confirming Signposted Speed Limits

We are proposing to confirm the current signposted speed limits on some roads. This process is required due to a legal anomaly and will not change any of the speed limits currently sign posted.

We are proposing to complete these changes in Year 1 of the Speed Management Plan. This would be completed as soon as practicable after the Speed Management Plan is certified and ideally no later than June 2024.

Road NameSuburbRoad AreaSignposted Speed Limit
Martins RoadManakauFrom 48 Martins Road to end80km/h
Gleeson RoadManakauFrom SH1 to end80km/h
Waiaute RoadManakauFrom Gleeson Road to end80km/h
McLeavey RoadŌhauFrom SH1 to Arapaepae South Road80km/h
Muhunoa East RoadŌhauFrom 55 Muhunoa East Road to intersection with Arapaepae South Road80km/h
Florida RoadŌhauFrom 37-85 Florida Road to 50-252 Florida Road80km/h
Papaitonga Lake RoadŌhauFrom intersection with Muhunoa West Road to end80km/h
Hōkio Beach RoadLevinFrom 109-121 Hōkio Beach Road to 300-316 Hōkio Beach Road80km/h
Arete LaneLevinFrom Tararua Road to Ruapai Road80km/h
Ruapai DriveLevinFrom Arete Lane to end80km/h
Oriwa LaneLevinFrom Ruapai Drive to end80km/h
Gladstone RoadLevinFrom intersection with Tararua Road to intersection with Queen Street East80km/h
Denton RoadLevinFrom intersection with Queen Street East to end80km/h
Queen Street EastLevinFrom intersection with Gladstone Road and Denton Road, to intersection with SH5780km/h
Kawiu RoadLevinFrom 231-389 Kawiu Road to intersection with SH180km/h
Lindsay RoadLevinFrom SH1 to end80km/h
Bruce RoadLevinFrom intersection with Buller Road to 55 Buller Road80km/h
Tararua RoadLevinFrom intersection with Cambridge Street to 91 Tararua Road50km/h
Fairfield RoadLevinFrom Roslyn Road to end of road North60km/h
Park AvenueWaitārere BeachFrom 165 Park Avenue to 250 Park Avenue50km/h
Via ArohaWaitārere BeachFrom Park Avenue to end50km/h
Mowhia GroveWaitārere BeachFrom Waitārere Rise to end60km/h
Quail WayWaitārere BeachFrom intersection with Waitārere Rise Avenue to end60km/h
Te Ariki DriveWaitārere BeachFrom intersection with Waitārere Rise Avenue to end60km/h
Kanuka DriveWaitārere BeachFrom intersection with Waitārere Rise Avenue to end60km/h
Waka Tete PlaceWaitārere BeachFrom intersection with Kanuka Drive to end60km/h
Truebridge DriveWaitārere BeachFrom intersection with Kanuka Drive to end60km/h
Palmer RoadFoxton BeachFrom intersection with Cousins Avenue to intersection of Foxton Beach Road80km/h
Foxton Beach RoadFoxton BeachFrom 1 Seabury Avenue to 14 Foxton Beach Road80km/h
Carex GroveFoxton BeachFrom Lakeview Drive to end50km/h
Lakeview DriveFoxton BeachFrom Palmer Road to end50km/h
Nicholas PlaceFoxton BeachFrom intersection with Thomas Place to end50km/h
Avenue RoadFoxtonFrom 99-115 Avenue Road to intersection with Hickford Road80km/h
Baker StreetFoxtonFrom intersection with Avenue Road to intersection with Howan Street80km/h
Howan StreetFoxtonFrom intersection with Baker Street to intersection with Hickford Road80km/h
Thompson StreetShannonFrom intersection with Sheehan Street to end50km/h
Bryce StreetShannonFrom SH57 to 25 Bryce Street near Old Foxton Road60km/h


Speed Limits of 70km/h or 90km/h

Road NameSuburb

Road Area

Sign Posted Speed LimitSpeed Limit Review
Roslyn RoadLevinFrom 20-36 Roslyn Road to intersection with SH5770km/hrRoslyn Road is classified as a peri-urban road. The Safe and Appropriate Speed limit is 50-80km/h.
The road is sealed, has a marked centreline, the alignment is straight with one corner, and has edge marker posts.
70km/h is considered to be a safe speed for this road. This speed limit will continue to be reviewed in subsequent speed management plans to ensure that the speed limit remains safe.
Kawiu RoadLevinFrom 122 Kawiu Road Levin to 236-244 Kawiu Road, LevinSign posted speed limit 70Kawiu Road between 122 and 236-244 currently has a legal speed limit of 50km/h. However, the signposted speed limit is 70 km/h. 50km/h is considered to be the safe speed for this road and the sign posts will be changed to meet the current legal speed limits.


We want to hear from you if you think we've got it right, or if there are any roads that we've missed, or if you believe the areas where the proposed speed limits apply should be longer or shorter.





Submissions closed

Further information on all issues and topics can be found in the Draft Speed Management Plan 2024-2034.

Feedback on the Draft Speed Management Plan 2024-2034 closed at 5pm on Monday 21 August 2023.




We're making our roads safer in Horowhenua for everyone, whether you're getting your children to school, driving in streets or visiting another busy area.

Horowhenua District Council is legally required to develop and consult on a Speed Management Plan that is used to set safe and appropriate speed limits in the Horowhenua District, excluding the State Highways as this is the jurisdiction of Waka Kotahi.

The Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022 came into effect in May 2022. It introduces a new way of implementing speed management throughout New Zealand. The primary purpose of this new process is to facilitate the implementation of safe and appropriate speeds to improve safety, save lives, and prevent debilitating injuries.

Why does Speed Management Matter?

Safe and appropriate speeds give people the best chance of survival without serious injury if they are involved in a crash. A pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle at 30km/h has a strong chance of surviving and avoiding serious injury. The probability of a pedestrian being killed rises as impact speed increases. The probability approximately doubles between 30km/h and 40km/h and again from 40k/h to 50km/h.

Children are some of the most vulnerable road users because, compared to adults, they are generally less visible, have a reduced ability to judge distance and speed and have lower levels of impulse control. Safe speeds have significant benefits for children because not only do they reduce the risk of death, injury or near misses but they also increase the opportunity for children to walk and cycle to school.

Road to Zero - New Zealand's Road Safety Strategy

Developing the Speed Management Plan

The first Horowhenua District Speed Management Plan will cover the period between 2024 and 2034 (ten years) and will be updated with community input every three years.

We are seeking your feedback on our draft Speed Management Plan, as this will help us confirm the changes to be made within the first three years of the plan. Let us know any other improvements you would like Council to consider for subsequent Speed Management Plans.

Our Proposal

We are proposing a staged approach to implementing any changes to the transport network.

In developing this first Speed Management Plan, we have applied safe and appropriate speed limits to our district’s roads that prioritise safety while also considering community wellbeing, the whole of the system, function, movement and place.

With our Implementation plan for 2024-27, we are not proposing any changes to a speed limit that does not align with Waka Kotahi’s assessment of what a safe and appropriate speed for the road is. It is also important to note that this Speed Management Plan will exclude the State Highways as these are managed by Waka Kotahi.

We are proposing that our first Speed Management Plan focuses on:

  • Improving safety around schools by applying safe and appropriate speed limits;
  • Applying safe and appropriate speed limits in two Horowhenua communities that have previously asked for speed limits to be reduced; and
  • Confirming a number of speed limits around the district where there are anomalies between the signposted and legal speed limit. This will not result in the change of any of the signposted speed limits.

Implementation Programme 2024-2027
Proposed Speed Limits around Schools

School NameCategoryProposed Speed LimitFurther InformationMaps
Manakau School130 km/hSchool is located within the proposed changes to local roads in ManakauView map
Ōhau School130 km/h
View map
Taitoko School130 km/h
View map
Fairfield School130 km/h
View map
Horowhenua College130 km/h
View map
St Joseph’s School130 km/h
View map
Levin Intermediate130 km/h
View map
Levin School130 km/h
View map
Levin North School130 km/h
View map
Waiopehu College130 km/h
View map
Levin East School130 km/h
View map
Manawatū College130 km/hOption 1 - permanent 30km/h speed limit
Option 2 - variable 30km/h speed limit
View map
Foxton Primary School130 km/hOption 1 - permanent 30km/h speed limit
Option 2 - variable 30km/h speed limit
View map
Coley Street School130 km/h
View map
Foxton Beach School130 km/h
View map
Koputaroa School130 km/hOption 1 - permanent 30km/h speed limit
Option 2 - variable 30km/h speed limit
View map
Ōpiki School130 km/hWaka Kotahi have proposed implementing a 30km/h variable speed limit on SH56View map
Shannon School130 km/hWaka Kotahi have proposed a 30km/h variable speed limit on SH57View map
Tokomaru School130 km/hWaka Kotahi have proposed a variable 30km/h speed limit on SH57View map


Maps – Changes Around Schools

Speed Limits on Local Roads

We are proposing to reduce speed limits in Manakau and Waikawa Beach.

This is because the roads in these areas have some of the following characteristics:

  • They are characterised as local streets that provide quiet and safe residential access for people of all ages and abilities;
  • There are no or few footpaths;
  • People walk, cycle, or ride horses on the road or roadside; and
  • Some of the roads are very narrow.

In addition, members of these communities have previously asked for speed limits to be reduced during the Long Term Plan consultation process. Therefore we are proposing the following changes as shown on the following maps.

If these proposed changes are implemented, to support lower speed limits in these areas, a programme will be developed to deliver infrastructure improvements where necessary to physically change environments to reduce traffic speeds. This increases safety and encourages a shift to multi-modal transport options.

Confirming Signposted Speed Limits

We are proposing to confirm the current signposted speed limits on some roads. This process is required due to a legal anomaly and will not change any of the speed limits currently sign posted.

We are proposing to complete these changes in Year 1 of the Speed Management Plan. This would be completed as soon as practicable after the Speed Management Plan is certified and ideally no later than June 2024.

Road NameSuburbRoad AreaSignposted Speed Limit
Martins RoadManakauFrom 48 Martins Road to end80km/h
Gleeson RoadManakauFrom SH1 to end80km/h
Waiaute RoadManakauFrom Gleeson Road to end80km/h
McLeavey RoadŌhauFrom SH1 to Arapaepae South Road80km/h
Muhunoa East RoadŌhauFrom 55 Muhunoa East Road to intersection with Arapaepae South Road80km/h
Florida RoadŌhauFrom 37-85 Florida Road to 50-252 Florida Road80km/h
Papaitonga Lake RoadŌhauFrom intersection with Muhunoa West Road to end80km/h
Hōkio Beach RoadLevinFrom 109-121 Hōkio Beach Road to 300-316 Hōkio Beach Road80km/h
Arete LaneLevinFrom Tararua Road to Ruapai Road80km/h
Ruapai DriveLevinFrom Arete Lane to end80km/h
Oriwa LaneLevinFrom Ruapai Drive to end80km/h
Gladstone RoadLevinFrom intersection with Tararua Road to intersection with Queen Street East80km/h
Denton RoadLevinFrom intersection with Queen Street East to end80km/h
Queen Street EastLevinFrom intersection with Gladstone Road and Denton Road, to intersection with SH5780km/h
Kawiu RoadLevinFrom 231-389 Kawiu Road to intersection with SH180km/h
Lindsay RoadLevinFrom SH1 to end80km/h
Bruce RoadLevinFrom intersection with Buller Road to 55 Buller Road80km/h
Tararua RoadLevinFrom intersection with Cambridge Street to 91 Tararua Road50km/h
Fairfield RoadLevinFrom Roslyn Road to end of road North60km/h
Park AvenueWaitārere BeachFrom 165 Park Avenue to 250 Park Avenue50km/h
Via ArohaWaitārere BeachFrom Park Avenue to end50km/h
Mowhia GroveWaitārere BeachFrom Waitārere Rise to end60km/h
Quail WayWaitārere BeachFrom intersection with Waitārere Rise Avenue to end60km/h
Te Ariki DriveWaitārere BeachFrom intersection with Waitārere Rise Avenue to end60km/h
Kanuka DriveWaitārere BeachFrom intersection with Waitārere Rise Avenue to end60km/h
Waka Tete PlaceWaitārere BeachFrom intersection with Kanuka Drive to end60km/h
Truebridge DriveWaitārere BeachFrom intersection with Kanuka Drive to end60km/h
Palmer RoadFoxton BeachFrom intersection with Cousins Avenue to intersection of Foxton Beach Road80km/h
Foxton Beach RoadFoxton BeachFrom 1 Seabury Avenue to 14 Foxton Beach Road80km/h
Carex GroveFoxton BeachFrom Lakeview Drive to end50km/h
Lakeview DriveFoxton BeachFrom Palmer Road to end50km/h
Nicholas PlaceFoxton BeachFrom intersection with Thomas Place to end50km/h
Avenue RoadFoxtonFrom 99-115 Avenue Road to intersection with Hickford Road80km/h
Baker StreetFoxtonFrom intersection with Avenue Road to intersection with Howan Street80km/h
Howan StreetFoxtonFrom intersection with Baker Street to intersection with Hickford Road80km/h
Thompson StreetShannonFrom intersection with Sheehan Street to end50km/h
Bryce StreetShannonFrom SH57 to 25 Bryce Street near Old Foxton Road60km/h


Speed Limits of 70km/h or 90km/h

Road NameSuburb

Road Area

Sign Posted Speed LimitSpeed Limit Review
Roslyn RoadLevinFrom 20-36 Roslyn Road to intersection with SH5770km/hrRoslyn Road is classified as a peri-urban road. The Safe and Appropriate Speed limit is 50-80km/h.
The road is sealed, has a marked centreline, the alignment is straight with one corner, and has edge marker posts.
70km/h is considered to be a safe speed for this road. This speed limit will continue to be reviewed in subsequent speed management plans to ensure that the speed limit remains safe.
Kawiu RoadLevinFrom 122 Kawiu Road Levin to 236-244 Kawiu Road, LevinSign posted speed limit 70Kawiu Road between 122 and 236-244 currently has a legal speed limit of 50km/h. However, the signposted speed limit is 70 km/h. 50km/h is considered to be the safe speed for this road and the sign posts will be changed to meet the current legal speed limits.


We want to hear from you if you think we've got it right, or if there are any roads that we've missed, or if you believe the areas where the proposed speed limits apply should be longer or shorter.





Submissions closed

Further information on all issues and topics can be found in the Draft Speed Management Plan 2024-2034.

Feedback on the Draft Speed Management Plan 2024-2034 closed at 5pm on Monday 21 August 2023.