Speed limits being reversed in Auckland

Speed Limits are changing in some locations across Auckland. The Ministry of Transport has updated the laws that let us set speed limits. The new Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limit 2024 (opens in a new tab) came into effect on 30 October 2024. Any speed limits set from this date need to align with the rule.

What the new rule means for us

It requires us to reverse two categories of specified roads to their previous speed. For Auckland Transport the reversals include:

• permanent 30km per hour speed limits introduced on local streets on or after 1 January 2020, if a school in the area was a reason for the change
• lower speed limits introduced on urban connectors on or after 1 January 2020, except if they related to significant land use changes.

This means we need to reverse speed limits on a number of roads across Auckland by 1 July 2025.

We don't have the option to consult on the specified roads requiring a reversal in the rule.

Changes for local streets and urban connectors (main roads)

If a speed limit is reversed to 50km per hour or higher, signs will be updated to show the correct speed limit. The new limit applies once the updated signs are in place.

Changes outside schools

When local street speed limits are reversed, they will be replaced by a new variable speed limit sign on the road outside the school gates for 300 metres. Variable speed limit signs lower the speed limit to 30 km per hour and will operate at the start and end of the school day.

Changes for state highways

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is responsible for state highways. Information on changes to speed limits on state highways can be found on the NZTA website (opens in a new tab).

When and where the Auckland changes are happening

Stage 1 – March 2025

Speed limits on some urban connector (main) roads will be reversed from 50km per hour to a higher limit. Road signs will show the new speed limit. This is scheduled to be completed by 30 March 2025.

We'll also start removing speed limit road markings on some red road surfaces.

Stage 2 – by 1 July 2025

Speed limits on some local streets near schools will be reversed from 30kmh to the pre-2020 limit. Road signs will show the new speed limit. This work will happen during May and June.

New variable 30km per hour signs on the 300 metre stretches of road outside the school gates where they will operate will be installed. Signs will be either:

• electronic, where the 30km per hour limit applies only when the sign is on (lit up)
• static, where the 30km per hour limit applies at the specified times.

Map of speed limit reversals

The Speed limit reversals map (opens in a new tab) is an interactive view of where:

• speed limits will be reversed back to the pre-2020 limit
• new variable speed limits will be installed outside schools.

List of roads with speed limit reversals

The List of speed limit reversals in 2025 includes every road where the speed limit will be reversed back to pre-2020 limits.