We have responsibility for land transport activity in Upper Hutt and covers management of all land transport matters, including the city's network of local roads. Part of our function is to ensure that residents and visitors to Upper Hutt can move freely, efficiently and safely throughout the city.
Safety of all road users is important to Upper Hutt City Council and we work in conjunction with the New Zealand Police, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Accident Compensation Corporation, schools, and community groups on road safety initiatives that support Central Government's road safety strategies.
If you would like to find out more about road safety initiatives in Upper Hutt, please email Caroline Tansell, Roading Safety Coordinator.
In September 2024, the Government introduced a new Land Transport Rule for setting speed limits. This rule replaces the 2022 version and removes some of the earlier blanket speed limit reductions on roads. Most importantly for schools, the new rule requires variable speed limits to be installed outside every school in New Zealand. These lower speed limits will operate during busy drop-off and pick-up times to help keep children, families, and staff safer around school gates.
All schools in New Zealand must have these variable speed limits in place by 1 July 2026.
Over the next six months, our Roading team will work with schools in Upper Hutt to plan, install, and communicate these changes so families know what to expect. The schools affected are:
- Plateau School: Molloys Road
- Birchville School: Gemstone Drive, Agate Grove and Amber Grove
- Te Kura o Hau Karetu: Hillside Drive
- Tōtara Park School: California Drive and Turon Crescent
- Oxford Crescent School: Oxford Crescent, Kowhai Avenue, Ventura Avenue, Exchange Street, King Street and Hay Street
- Proposed changes to St. Joseph's School: Pine Avenue, Royal St, Queen St, Weekly Review Lane, Savage Crescent, Lyster Lane and O'hara Lane
- Upper Hutt School: Brown Street, Martin St, Benzie Avenue and Blenheim Street
- Fraser Crescent School and Maidstone Intermediate School: Fraser Crescent, Redwood Street, Keys Street, Massey Street and McParland Street
- Heretaunga College: Ward Street, Martin Street and Miro Street
- Upper Hutt College: Moonshine Road, Hikurangi Street, Shakespeare Avenue, Moore Street and Merton Street
- Trentham School, Upper Hutt College and Fergusson Intermediate School: Moonshine Road, Hikurangi Street, Holdsworth Avenue, Merton Street, Moore Street, Shakespeare Avenue, Stephen Street, Smallfield Lane and Carrol Grove
- Hutt International Boys' School: Granville Street, Racecourse Road and Seddul Bahr Road
- St Brendan's School, Heretaunga: Palmer Crescent, Sutherland Avenue and Gower Street
- St. Patrick's College, Silverstream: Fergusson Drive
- Silverstream School and Silverstream Christian School: Whitemans Road, Gard Street, Kiln Street, Blue Mountains Road, Dowling Grove and Dunns Street
- Pinehaven School: Pinehaven Road, Forest road and Jocelyn Crescent
These improvements aim to create safer streets for tamariki walking, biking, or getting in and out of cars, and to give parents and caregivers more confidence during those busy school-day moments.
See maps for proposed changes to affected areas in Upper Hutt
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Upper Hutt City Council introducing variable speed limits around schools?
This is rolled out through new national regulations under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024.
Central Government has asked councils across New Zealand to introduce safer speed limits around schools. This is to help protect children, whānau, and others walking, biking, or dropping kids off.
The new rules aim to make those busy before- and after-school times safer for everyone.
What is a variable speed limit?
A variable speed limit is a speed limit that changes at certain times of day. The speed limit in the areas surrounding these schools in Upper Hutt will drop to 30 km/h during drop-off, pick-up, and some after-school activities.
Which roads will be affected?
These safer speed limits will apply to the roads within 150 metres of each school’s boundaries. Most of the roads affected are quieter local streets. Some of our busier (arterial) roads in Upper Hutt, like Fergusson Drive and Flux Road, will also have variable speed zone where schools are located.
See maps here
When will these changes be in effect?
All councils across New Zealand will need to comply by 1 July 2026.
The 30km/hr speed limit will operate during the busiest travel time for school, which typically include:
- 30 minutes before and after school starts
- Around pick-up time after-school
- During some after-school programmes or activities
Exact operating hours will be signposted for each location.
Will the speed limits be permanent or only during certain times?
The reduced 30 km/h limit will only apply during designated school travel times. Outside of these times, the usual speed limit will apply.
Will the speed limit still apply during school holidays or Teacher Only Days?
The reduced speed limit only applies on school days. The permanent (static) signs will indicate that.
Upper Hutt College and Heretaunga College both have an early finish on Wednesdays. At these two schools, the electronic signs will automatically activate the 30km/h limit to match their early finish time. Under the Speed Limit Rule 2024, this early-finish speed limit can only be in place for up to 10 minutes during those early finish time.
How will drivers know when the speed limit changes?
Electronic or time-controlled signs will turn on and show "30 km/h" when the lower speed limit is active.
In some places, you may also see standard printed signs that list the times when the 30 km/h limit applies. These are used on certain roads where electronic signs are not required.
In summary, if the sign is turned on or the time matches what's shown on the printed sign, the 30 km/h limit is in effect.
What if there are multiple schools in one area?
In areas where several schools are close together, we will create one larger, consistent speed zone.
This means the same variable speed limit will apply across the whole area, reducing confusion for drivers and helping keep all students safe.
How does this affect traffic on busy (arterial) roads?
On busy (arterial) roads, the Council will set up the variable speed zones in a way that keeps traffic flowing while still protecting children.
Any slowdown should be brief and will only happen during the peak school drop-off and pick-up times.
Note: An arterial road is a main road with high traffic and, in some cases, higher speed limits during normal hours.
When will the changes be fully implemented?
All councils must have the new school speed zones in place by 1 July 2026.
Upper Hutt City Council expects to have all variable speed zones installed and operating well before this national deadline.
Children need to be safe when out in the community. There is a resource available called 'Hike it, Bike it, Skate it: Safer Journeys for School Children: A Whānau and Caregivers' guide'. This booklet describes the things you need to know to help teach your child about staying safe on roads and near railways. Available as a PDF in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Hindi, Samoan and Tongan.
Find out more at education.nzta.govt.nz
What can riders do to stay safe?
In 2017, there were 7,372 motorcyclists that received treatment, help and support from the ACC after they had been injured on a bike. To avoid crashes, we're reminding motorcyclists to:
- Upskill by completing a Ride Forever skills course
- Check your bike is roadworthy
- Wear the right gear every time you ride
- Consider a bike with ABS brakes, if you’re in the market for a new bike.
What can drivers do to help increase rider safety?
Drivers play a key role in helping to keep motorcyclists safe, especially in heavy traffic. Drivers need to know that they'll be seeing more bikes on the road over the warmer months, starting from September.
We encourage drivers to be extra careful and keep a look out for bikes when they're driving. They need to check their blind spot by turning their head to check behind them, especially before changing lanes, and to be mindful at intersections as motorcyclists can appear suddenly.
Ride Forever training courses
Ride Forever is ACC's subsidised rider training programme with courses available for all skill levels, from beginner through to elite. Expert training like this has a value of around $300, but with the ACC subsidy courses cost riders $20 to $50. Find out more about rideforever.co.nz/coaching
Learning to Drive?
Check out drive.govt.nz
A great online tool to help you get your Learner, Restricted or Full Licence. Lots of tips for drivers teaching someone to drive too.
NZAA Coaching Session
The NZAA wants to keep senior drivers safe, confident and independently mobile for as long as possible, so they're offering a FREE 1 hour coaching session to AA members aged 74 plus. This is a relaxed session with a friendly AA Driving Instructor in your own vehicle. Call 0800 223 748 or visit aa.co.nz
Staying Safe Refresher Driving Course
Staying Safe is a classroom-based refresher workshop for senior road users. Age Concern runs these workshops in partnership with New Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
The workshop aims to maintain and improve safe driving practices and increase the knowledge of other transport options available to help senior road users remain safely mobile.
The free interactive workshop runs for around 4 hours, with lunch provided. Spaces at each workshop are limited so please register using the form below.
For upcoming course dates in 2025 visit acwellington.org.nz
Less Speed, Less Harm
The single biggest road safety issue in New Zealand today is speed – drivers travelling too fast for the conditions.
Adjust your speed to the conditions.
nzta.govt.nz
Crashes at intersections are an area of concern for the Wellington region, with poor observation being the leading cause.
Test your knowledge of the rules on the following websites:
More children are out and about before and after school – let’s keep them safe.
Safe use of the road is a shared responsibility – we all need to work on it.
School Patrol help children cross the road safely at many of our Upper Hutt schools – please watch out for them and be prepared to stop.
There has been a tragic increase in the number of road deaths involving people who weren’t wearing a seat belt. Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest safety measures you and your passengers can take, and it could save your life. (Brake Aotearoa NZ)
Seatbelts save lives, increasing your chance of surviving by 40%. Most of us accept that, however when people choose not to wear their seatbelt while driving, they put themselves in greater danger of being fatally or seriously injured if they are involved in a crash. In the last five years, 300 people have died because they didn’t wear a seatbelt.
Find out more at https://www.nzta.govt.nz/safety/driving-safely/seatbelts/ https://www.nzta.govt.nz/safety/keeping-children-safe/child-restraints
Most children are restrained when travelling in vehicles … BUT around 80% of child restraints are either not installed correctly or not appropriate for the child.
Did you know that free car seat checks are available right here in Upper Hutt City?
Our Road Safety Coordinator, in partnership with a certified technician from Car Seat Savvy, offers regular checks to ensure child restraints are installed correctly and meet current safety standards.
Find out more and book a free car seat check
Why it matters:
These checks make a big difference in our community by:
- Ensuring Correct Installation: Helping parents and caregivers use car seats safely and effectively.
- Supporting New Parents: Offering clear guidance and confidence for first-time installations.
- Providing Reliable Information: Clearing up confusion caused by misleading online advice.
- Building Community Connections: Raising awareness of the Road Safety Coordinator’s role and strengthening local engagement.
- Listening to Local Concerns: Creating space for residents to share feedback on other road safety issues like school traffic or pedestrian crossings.
- Encouraging Future Outreach: Inspiring ideas for new clinic locations, including playgroups and other community venues.
Why proper installation is vital:
Child restraints save lives—but only when used correctly. We understand that installing one can be tricky. That’s why Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has created a helpful series of videos showing how to:
- Properly install your child restraint
- Ensure your child is fitted safely
- Understand the legal requirements for using child restraints in Aotearoa
- You can also find tips on choosing the right restraint for your child’s age and size.
Car seat expiry
Child restraints (car seats) have a lifespan of 5-10 years. These dates vary depending on the brand. To find out more about child restraint expiry dates and the Seatsmart recycling programme go to seatsmart.co.nz