Safer Speeds Around Schools

New rules for setting speed limits on New Zealand roads came into effect on 30 October 2024, including changes for roads outside schools.

Under these rules, schools must have variable speed limits of either 30 km/h or 60 km/h by 1 July 2026, depending on the type of road they are on.

From May 2026, Rotorua Lakes Council will start installing variable speed signs outside the entrances of all local schools. This is a variable speed limit, which means it only applies during busy drop-off and pick-up times (8:00am – 9:00am and 2:45pm – 3:45pm). At other times, the usual permanent speed limit applies.

Variable speed limits are shown on:

• Electronic signs that turn on and off at certain times, or
• Static signs that show the times the lower speed applies.

The lower speed limits only apply from 8:00 - 9:00am and 2:45 - 3:45pm, Monday to Friday during the school term.

A speed of 30km/h is proven to be the safest speed for areas where there are lots of vulnerable road users. At lower speeds, drivers have more time to react, and if a crash does happen, it’s much less likely to result in serious injury.

Research shows that if someone is hit by a vehicle travelling at 30km/h, their chance of survival is 90%, compared to a 68% survival rate at 40km/h.

Under the new rule, lower speed limits must apply around the start and end of the school day and can be in place for up to 45 minutes before or after the bell.

The variable speed limit is active when students are travelling to and from school, usually at the start and end of each school day. It may also be turned on for other times when there are more children around, such as late starts, early finish times, or school functions.

To keep things simple and consistent across the district, Rotorua Lakes Council has set standard times of 30km/h:

• 8:00am – 9:00am (morning peak)
• 2:45pm – 3:45pm (afternoon peak)

These times cover when most students are travelling to and from school.

If an electronic sign is on, the lower variable speed limit applies. Sometimes signs may be turned on for up to 10 minutes outside normal school travel times if there are a lot of children around, for example, during events like sports days.

Schools are grouped into two categories based on their location and the type of road they’re on.

Category one schools have a variable speed limit of 30km/h.

• These are usually in urban areas, or within rural villages with existing 50 km/h speed limits, where more children are likely to walk or cycle to school.

Category two schools have a variable speed limit of 60km/h or less.

• These are usually on rural or higher-speed roads (60km/h – 100km/h), where fewer children walk or bike and there is often off-road parking available.

The speed is set to match the road environment and help keep people safe.

Speed limits and school zones on state highways are set by Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). We're working with NZTA to make sure new speed limits are safe and consistent across both local roads and state highways. Maps for schools on state highways will be added as they become available.

The existing sign will remain in place, but the speed will be changed from 40km/h to 30km/h.

Roads outside schools are higher-risk areas, so focusing on them delivers the greatest safety benefits - especially for children. Prioritising these areas helps make the biggest difference where it matters most.

In most cases, signs are placed about 300 metres either side of a school entrance, which is the standard required distance. In some situations, signs are further away - for example, if it’s more practical, works better for road safety, or where there are multiple schools close together.

Rotorua Lakes Council has previously consulted with the public on proposed variable speed limits outside schools, most recently in late 2022. Council officers have been working with local schools since the new speed limit rules came into effect on 30 October 2024.

This has helped us understand each school’s needs and concerns, and factor these into our planning.

However, under the current rules, councils are not required to consult on these changes. and the rules require variable speed limits to be in place outside schools by 1 July 2026.

Lowering the speed limit in school zones, has very little impact on travel times. In urban areas, travel time is mostly affected by things like traffic, intersections, and pedestrian crossings - not the speed limit. Because school zones are short distances, the difference in travel time is usually less than 15 seconds. These changes help improve safety while keeping journeys running smoothly.

Council has a vision for a better Rotorua for all, and what we deliver - and how we deliver it helps bring that vision to life. The focus of Council’s work programme in the 2024–2034 Long-term Plan is on nine key outcomes, including ‘Safety’.

While these changes are required under the new Rule, improving safety around schools directly supports this outcome.

By reducing speeds in high-risk areas, we’re helping protect children and making it easier and safer for people to walk, bike or scooter to school, contributing to a safer, more connected community.

Council invests in a range of work to keep the transport network safe, reliable and able to support growth.

This includes:

• Maintaining and renewing roads (like resurfacing and repairs)
• Making small safety improvements
• Upgrading rural roads and extending sealed roads
• Supporting growth in new and developing areas
• Renewing parking buildings
• Maintaining Māori roadlines and unformed roads
• Land purchases needed for transport projects.

For 2026/2027, around $11.7 million has been approved through the Annual Plan for these transport projects.