Whakatāne Continuing Variable Speed Limit Rollout in Bay of Plenty

The Whakatāne District Council is rolling out variable speed limits near schools under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024, with signage to be in place by 1 July, 2026.

The council said the programme builds on work completed last year.

Variable speed limits were introduced outside Waimana School and Te Mahoe School in July 2025, “to help protect tamariki during busy school pick-up and drop-off times.”

These new speed limits reduce vehicle speeds during school travel periods, before and after school, and return to the normal speed limit for the area outside these times.

“This approach gives drivers clearer signals about when lower speeds apply, while improving safety around schools when children are most active,” the council said.

Manager of Transportation, Ann-Elise Reynolds, said the wider rollout reflects the council's ongoing focus on making roads safer around schools.

“Lower speeds around schools make a real difference to safety,” Reynolds said.

“By slowing traffic during the times children are arriving at or leaving kura, we’re creating a calmer, safer environment for tamariki, whānau, and everyone using the road.”

Fixed variable speed sign on Paroa Road. IMAGE // Whakatāne District Council

Council said following the successful introduction of variable speed limits at Waimana School and Te Mahoe School last year, remaining schools across the Whakatāne District will see similar changes rolled out in May and June.

“The changes apply to both urban and rural schools and follow national rules that define school zone extents, signage requirements, and operating times,” it said.

School zones will use either electronic or static variable speed signs, depending on the location and road type.

Variable speed limits near school zones are already active throughout Kawerau, with further limits set to be in place in Ōpōtiki and the wider Bay of Plenty by the end of May.