Bay of Plenty residents are being asked to weigh in on proposed speed limit changes for two stretches of State Highway 29, with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi opening a six-week consultation on several high-risk sites across the region.

The proposals would see the speed limit through Tauriko Village reduced from 70km/h to 60km/h and a new Intersection Speed Zone (ISZ) installed at the SH29/Ōmanawa Rd intersection, lowering speeds from 100km/h to 60km/h when approaching traffic is detected, an NZTA release said this week.

NZTA is also proposing to remove the variable speed limit outside Tauriko School after the school entrance was shifted away from the state highway.

The Bay of Plenty proposals form part of a wider review of speed limits in Waikato and Bay of Plenty, with public consultation running until 5pm on August 27.

NZTA Waikato Bay of Plenty director of regional relationships Andrew Corkill said community feedback would play a key role in determining whether the changes proceed.

“The next six weeks give people the chance to share their perspectives on these stretches of road, and we welcome all official submissions,” Corkill said.

“Along with safety, technical, cost, benefit and other data, community feedback is a part of the process we can’t do without when determining whether we should change speed limits in these locations. Local and road-user insights are invaluable.”

NZTA is seeking public feedback on a range of proposed speed limit changes and safety improvements across Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. Image / NZTA

NZTA said the proposed changes aligned with the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 and included the installation of new ISZs designed to improve safety at busy intersections.

ISZs use electronic signs to temporarily reduce the speed limit to 60km/h when a vehicle is detected approaching or turning at an intersection. The agency said the technology gave drivers more time to react and reduced the likelihood and severity of crashes.

“The goal of ISZs is to slow down state highway traffic to make it safer for people to pull into or out of a side road,” Corkill said.

“They don’t completely prevent crashes, but research shows they do help to mitigate the risk of them occurring and the severity when they do.”

NZTA said social media comments and emails would not be counted as official submissions, with feedback required through its online consultation surveys.

More information on the proposals is available through the NZTA targeted speed limit review webpages for the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions.