We want to make your roads safer for everyone who uses them. There’s been a significant number of crashes on SH23, SH31 and SH39, in the west Waikato. We want to make sure that speeds are safe and appropriate on these roads, so Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is reviewing the current speed limits.
Speed limit consultationBetween October and November 2020 we engaged with local communities, mana whenua, key stakeholders, councils and road user industry groups about the current speed limits on State Highways 23, 31 and 39 in west Waikato. From 14 November to 12 December 2022, we consulted on proposed changes to speed limits along various parts of these state highways, as part of an Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan. We’re considering feedback from this consultation alongside existing information to finalise the interim plan, and will share an update in early 2023. |
The following table outlines the number of crashes, deaths and serious injuries sustained across the three state highways during the ten-year period (2009-2018).
Along with the devastating effect on families and communities, crashes on this route can cause extensive delays and long detours if there are road closures.
Road | Crashes | Deaths | Serious injuries |
SH23 | 381 | 4 | 52 |
SH31 | 173 | 3 | 22 |
SH39 | 328 | 10 | 30 |
Speed limits on these state highways are as high as 100km/h, but the average speeds are much lower as shown in the following table.
Location | Current speed limit (km/h) | Average speed (km/h) |
SH23 - Hamilton West (Dinsdale) to Whatawhata | 100 | 82 |
SH23 - Whatawhata | 80 | 77 |
SH23 - Whatawhata to Four Brothers Reserve | 100 | 82 |
SH23 - Four Brothers Reserve to east of Cogswell Road | 100 | 75 |
SH23 - East of Cogswell Road to Te Uku | 100 | 77 |
SH23 - Te Uku | 80 | 82 |
SH23 - Te Uku to 400m east of Greenslade Road | 100 | 85 |
SH23 - 400m east of Greenslade Road to Manukau Road | 100 | 72 |
SH31 - Otorohanga to the SH31/SH39 junction | 100 | 80 |
SH31 - SH31/SH39 junction to Te Kauri Stream bridge | 100 | 80 |
SH31 - Te Kauri Stream bridge to 2km east of Harbour Road | 100 | 65 |
SH31 - 2km east of Harbour Road to Kawhia | 100 | 72 |
SH39 - Te Kowhai to Whatawhata | 100 | 82 |
SH39 - Whatawhata | 70/80 | 60 |
SH39 - Whatawhata to Ngahinapouri | 100 | 87 |
SH39 - Ngahinapouri | 70 | 77 |
SH39 - Ngahinapouri to Pirongia | 100 | 87 |
SH39 - Pirongia South | 70 | 62 |
SH39 - Pirongia South to the SH31/SH39 junction | 100 | 87 |