The school run is going to get a little safer across Waimakariri, with new variable speed limits set to be rolled out around local schools in the next few weeks.
At its inaugural meeting in October, Councillors voted to lower school speed limits, following strong support from the community and Community Boards.
The decision comes after a Government rule introduced in October 2024 required all streets with active school gates to have a variable speed limit in place by July 1, 2026.
The installation of the new signs will be rolled out across the District by 1 July now that co-funding from NZTA has been confirmed.
Council has previously consulted with the community about speeds outside schools, and 84.3% of respondents to a survey on the topic supported slower speeds near schools.
Mayor Dan Gordon said the Council was fully behind the move.
“Reducing speed limits during pick-up and drop-off time is a sensible approach that lowers the risk of crashes affecting our young people,” he said.
Under the new rules schools fall into two categories:
- Category One schools which are mostly in built-up urban areas with busy road frontages will have a 30km/h variable speed limit,
- Category Two schools in more rural settings with less roadside activity will have variable limits of up to 60km/h, depending on local risk.
“We’ve taken a pragmatic approach,” said Deputy Mayor and roading portfolio holder Philip Redmond QSM.
“In our towns, most schools will see 30km/h limits, while some semi-rural schools will have a mix of 30 and 60km/h zones, and it will always be lower where children are being dropped off or picked up.”
Tūtira Ashgrove Principal Leon Van’t Veen said the change would be warmly welcomed by school communities.
“When I talk to Principals across the District, we’ve all shared concerns about vehicle speeds around schools. Parents have too. These new limits will slow people down and make our tamariki much safer on their way to and from school.”
Check below to see how the limits will be applied to your school:
Oxford–Ohoka Community Board Area
School and location of proposed variable speed limit | School category | New variable speed limit | Zone Times |
Ohoka School | 2 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Oxford Area School | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Swannanoa School | 2 | 60 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
View Hill School | 2 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
West Eyreton School | 2 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Woodend–Sefton Community Board Area
School and location of proposed variable speed limit | School category | New variable speed limit | Times |
Pegasus Bay School | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Sefton School | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Woodend School | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Rangiora–Ashley Community Board Area
School and location of proposed variable speed limit | School category | New variable speed limit | Times |
Tutira Ashgrove School | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Ashley Rakahuri School | 2 | 60 km/h (Fawcetts Rd) / 30 km/h others | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Cust School | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Fernside School Swannanoa Rd / O’Roarkes Rd | 2 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Loburn School | 2 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
North Loburn School | 2 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
One School Global Lehmans Rd | 2 | 60 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Rangiora Borough School Church St / King St / Queen St | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Rangiora High School East Belt / Wales St / Edward St | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Rangiora New Life/ Southbrook School | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
St Joseph’s School | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Te Matauru Primary | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Kaiapoi–Tuahiwi Community Board Area
School and location of proposed variable speed limit | School category | New variable speed limit | Time zone |
Clarkville School | 2 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Kaiapoi Borough School | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Kaiapoi High School | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Kaiapoi North School | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
St Patrick’s School | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |
Te Kura o Tuahiwi | 1 | 30 km/h | 8:20–9:20 am / 2:30–3:30 pm |