We’re proposing a new speed limit of 80km/h on SH2 Upper Hutt to cover the Moonshine Hill Road intersection at Riverstone Terraces.
SH2 River Road, which is between Silverstream Bridge and Whakatiki Street in Upper Hutt is busy stretch of highway. It is used by approximately 29,261 vehicles daily on average and connects the Hutt Valley and Wellington regions to the Wairarapa. Just under 2,000 heavy vehicles use this stretch of road daily on average. It is a challenging stretch of highway because the only detour is via Fergusson Drive through Upper Hutt.
Riverstone Terraces is home to around 1,800 residents and just over 600 dwellings, and the Moonshine Hill Road intersection is the main access to the suburb of Riverstone Terraces.
A lower speed will help make the intersection safer and more efficient. It means:
Rather than slowing traffic down, the aim is to make it flow more smoothly and predictably for everyone.
Intersection upgrade SH2 Upper Hutt Moonshine Hill Road at Riverstone Terraces
We've considered factors such as crash data, the road characteristics and activity (described above), traffic volumes and the speeds people are travelling.
Community concerns about safety and speed align with our assessment that proposing an 80km/h speed limit best supports the new traffic lights being constructed soon.
Construction of safety infrastructure to support a higher speed limit would not reach the threshold in our safety priorities to attract funding. An 80km/h speed limit aligns with the adjacent northern SH2 intersection, creating a more consistent environment for road users, and it aligns with the speed limit range specified by the Rule for this road type: interregional connector.
|
Location |
Road length |
Current speed limit |
Proposed speed limit |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SH2 Upper Hutt Approaching intersection with Moonshine Hill Road intersection to north of Whakatiki Street. |
2.4km |
100 km/h |
80 km/h |
View larger speed limit review consultation map [PDF, 444 KB]
We held a consultation on the proposed speed limit change from 100km/h to 80km/h on SH2, from Moonshine Hill Road to north of Whakatiki Street. The consultation invited feedback on the proposal and on any local factors that should be taken into account. Submissions for this consultation closed on 12 September 2025.
We’re now reviewing and analysing the feedback received and we’ll provide an update once this process has been completed.
Before recommending a new speed limit, we’ll consider all feedback received during public consultation and review it alongside technical and safety assessments.
We’ll then seek approval from the Director of Land Transport before any potential change to the speed limit is made.
We’ll publish details of the Director’s decision on the NZTA website.
The speed limit for this section remains at 100km/h until this process is complete.
Under the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024, NZTA must consider:
This information is presented in a Cost Benefit Disclosure Statement (CBDS):
View the full CBDS for this speed limit review (100 to 80km/h) [PDF, 146 KB]
If the speed limit decreases from 100 km/h to 80 km/h over this section, the expected travel time increase for both light and heavy vehicles is 11-12 seconds. (Noting at 100km/h, a 90km/h speed limit applies to heavy and towing vehicles.)
It is estimated that there would be a 26% decrease in injury crashes if the speed limit changed from 100km/h to 80km/h.
If the speed limit changes from 100 km/h to 80 km/h, implementation costs would be approximately $50,000.
This proposal aligns with the Government’s Road Safety Objectives which include taking a balanced and targeted approach to speed limits by considering safety, economic impacts – including travel times – and community views.
New Zealand’s road safety objectives(external link)
The Moonshine Hill Road intersection at Riverstone Terraces is one of the few to be upgraded along State Highway 2 between Ngāūranga and Upper Hutt. It is at high risk for death or serious injury. Between 2020 and 2025, there have been 5 serious crashes and 1 death. It has an unsafe layout and is not suitable for high-speed and high-volume traffic.
We consulted on the proposed changes to this intersection in 2021. During the consultation, we heard from a variety of stakeholders and the public. Overall, there was strong support for traffic lights, a roundabout or even an interchange. Many supported a lower speed limit of 70-80 km/h to improve safety. Concerns were also raised about the lack of safe cycling infrastructure. You can read a summary of the consultation feedback here:
SH2 Ngāūranga to Featherston engagement report - June 2022 [PDF, 9.5 MB]
Email us at SH2HuttValley@nzta.govt.nz
information you have provided in this form will be made publicly available (with the exception of any personal information that could be used to identify an individual such as names, contact details and physical address) and will be used by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (we/us) to gain feedback, write our consultation report, and to meet the consultation requirements for the proposal to change speed limits on SH2 Moonshine Hill Road to north of Whakatiki Street as set out in the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024. Any personal information you provide might legally need to be disclosed to third parties if subject to a request under the Official Information Act 1982 (or as otherwise required by law). If your feedback is commercially sensitive or you do not want it disclosed, please let us know. Under the Privacy Act 2020 you have the right to know what personal information we hold about you. You can read more about how we handle your information on our website, or contact us at info@nzta.govt.nz
