In a move bound to excite lead-footed Kiwi drivers and industry advocates alike, New Zealand’s National-led Government has hit the accelerator on reversing what it deems “illogical and untargeted” speed limit reductions implemented under the previous administration. Starting tonight, the first stage of the speed limit rollbacks will take effect on SH2 between Featherston and Masterton, giving locals the green light to drive faster, and possibly smile harder, on their daily commutes.
Transport Minister Hon Chris Bishop explains the bold decision with what some might call award-winning shade: “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical speed limit reductions,” he remarked, striking a clear contrast to Labour-era road policies. Reversing these limits, according to Bishop, isn’t just about picking up the pace but about “economic growth, improved productivity, and making it easier for people and freight to get from A to B” .
The changes are part of the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024, which mandates an all-hands-on-deck approach from NZTA and councils to restore speed limits reduced since January 2020. The program stretches beyond State Highway 2; it involves automatic reversals across 38 other highway sections with public consultations for 49 more. The countdown for councils to submit their selected roads begins now, with a deadline of 1 May 2025 for local road listings.
Of course, amidst the high-octane rhetoric, there’s room for safety measures too. Reduced speed limits for school zones during pickup and drop-off hours are classified as non-negotiable. Schools on urban streets will enforce 30 km/h zones, while rural areas will cap these limits at 60 km/h or less by July 2026. Bishop reassures parents this is a “priority for Kiwi kids,” even as the rest of the country’s roads rev back up.
The coalition’s focus on speed reversals—and their somewhat dramatic disdain for bureaucracy—leaves little doubt about their determination to follow through. As Bishop pointedly noted, referencing Labour MP Kieran McAnulty’s alleged inaction regarding SH2, “Today provides a classic example of our government’s determination to stop letting government agencies put things in the too-hard basket”.
The decision, naturally, comes with its share of public consultation. For those passionate about maintaining lowered limits, the next six weeks offer a chance to weigh in on the 49 highway sections still up for debate. Meanwhile, highway enthusiasts will no doubt rejoice as the nation embraces its inner Speed Racer—just with a firm hand on safety where needed, of course.
For those itching to test their limits: buckle up (legally), embrace the speedometer climb, and perhaps leave Labour’s era of caution in the rearview mirror.
