Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
South Wairarapa Council Hopes To Get Speed Review Over The Line
March 13, 2025
South Wairarapa District Council will write to Transport Minister Chris Bishop urging him to approve their already-consulted-on speed management plan.
The council, which consulted on reducing speeds across the district in 2023, has been unable to implement the proposed changes because of a new transport rule brought in by the coalition Government.
Stefan Corbett, the council’s infrastructure and community operations manager said NZTA had informed them they needed to reconsult, despite the council’s speed management plan being previously approved by the Director of Land Transport and “generally consistent with the new Land Transport Rule”.
He said the Government’s decision to reverse previously implemented speed reductions were the subject of judicial review in the High Court.
“Several councils have made written representations to the minister of transport on this issue.
“We are monitoring the situation, but unless the minister agrees to allow the current plan to proceed, a report will be required to seek approval to reconsult on the revised Speed Management Plan.”
Corbett said feedback from the community was that changes to make road speeds safer “cannot be delayed any further”.
The council had applied for funding to implement a speed plan in 2025-26 but councillors have also voted to write to the minister.
“if we’re successful there it will be a great outcome,” Corbett said.
Mayor Martin Connelly and councillor Aaron Woodock voted against writing the letter, and councillor Alistair Plimmer abstained.
Connelly said he couldn’t vote for the recommendation "unless i knew there was some legal provision in the rules that actually gave the minister the discretion we’re asking him to exercise".
“If he doesn’t have it there’s no point in asking.”
The speed reductions in the council’s proposed plan included variable speed zones outside schools, and a 70kph limit on unsealed roads.
Neighbouring Carterton District Council resolved to write to the transport minister last month.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Local Democracy Reporting
Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.
Gordon Campbell: On Winston Peters’ Battle Against The Phantom Legions Of The Woke
Land Search and Rescue: Land Search And Rescue Honours Outstanding Volunteer Responders At National Hui
ActionStation: Economists, Campaign Groups Hit Out At PPP’s Labelling Them ‘Ideological, Reckless’
Greenpeace: Luxon’s Investment Claims Undermined By Breaches Of Free Trade Agreements
Living Wage Aotearoa: Government Cleaners, Security Guards, And Caterers Counting On NZ First 
Environmental Defence Society: Infrastructure Summit Should Prioritise Environmental Outcomes
Green Party: Just Six Government MPs Needed To Pass Unlawful Occupation Of Palestine Sanctions Bill
