BoPRC Support for Climate Change Actions
September 7, 2026
Final Report – Experts Ohau Wall Findings
September 9, 2026
10 September 2026
LRCA's call for 60 kmph Limit Falls on Deaf NZTA Ears
Background
Based on the support from our AGM and our member surveys LRCA made submissions on the NZTA review as follows:
Covering letter HERE.
LRCA Submission HERE.
Whangamarino School Submission HERE.
NZTA Consultation Report
Early July NZTA advised us that the decision had been made following the consultation and that the Mourea to Okere Falls section of SH33 would revert back to 80 kmph and that the findings from the consultation were available HERE.
Our initial reaction was to accept their decision and get on with life!
LRCA's Concerns about Report
However when we reviewed the findings we were extremely concerned to find that:
- LRCA's submission seemed to have been entirely overlooked - we were not acknowledged as a stakeholder making a submission, our comments were not recorded when other stakeholders were recorded in detail and the reasons why our comments hadn't been acted on were not recorded either when others had been!
- We addressed this NZTA and after some discussion they advised us that it had been considered even though it wasn't mentioned at all in their report!
This discovery caused us to review the findings more closely. This review increased our concern.
The review's key finding was that:
- 59% could see benefits in a reduction to 80 kmph,
- 35% had concerns about the proposal and
- 6% could see benefits and had concerns.
- In NZTA's view justifying the reduction to 80 kmph.
They ignored the fact that in the answers to the next question 34% "felt that the speed limits should be lowered further" This changes the picture as follows:
- 35% see benefits in a reduction to 80 kmph
- 34% felt the speed should be lowered further
- 35% had concerns about the proposal
- 6% could see benefits and had concerns
Given that those being consulted were not given the option of 60 kmph its not unreasonable to suspect that the result would have had most in favour of the lower speed if the option had been available.
The local community groups submissions, (Ngāti Pikiao Kōeke, Whangamarino School and LRCA, (not mentioned in the report), were strongly in favour of 60 kmph.
Based on these and other oversights we took our concerns up with NZTA. Whilst initially receptive they effectively stonewalled our concerns in our formal request for a review, effectively implying that their decision had been made prior to the consultation taking place.
Copies of our full request and their response are available here:
Present Situation
We have kept Todd MCClay's office up to date throughout this process and have taken their advice that we should let them pursue a solution on our behalf. We are currently awaiting an update.