Variable speed limits will apply across 19 school-zone locations covering 20 schools across Upper Hutt as part of a nationwide Government requirement to improve safety around school gates.
The new limits will reduce speeds to 30km/h during school drop-off and pick-up times, helping create safer travel environments for tamariki, whānau, and other road users.
These changes must be in place across New Zealand from 1 July 2026 under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024.
Upper Hutt City Council is responsible for delivering the local infrastructure (signage) and communications required to support this nationally mandated change, with signs becoming operational from 1 July 2026.
Quick facts
- Variable speed limits will apply across 19 school-zone locations covering 20 schools.
- The reduced speed limit will be 30km/h for all schools in Upper Hutt except for Mangaroa School. Mangaroa School will keep its existing variable speed limit of 40km/h.
- Limits only apply during signposted school travel times.
- Normal speed limits apply outside these times.
- Signs become operational from 1 July 2026.
- Enforcement is carried out by New Zealand Police when signs are active.
Other important information
Why is this happening?
In 2024, the Government introduced new national speed limit rules requiring all councils to introduce variable speed limits outside schools.
These lower speeds are designed to improve safety during the busiest times around schools, when children are arriving and leaving.
Upper Hutt City Council is responsible for delivering the local infrastructure and communications required to support this nationally mandated change.
Which schools are affected?
New variable speed limits will apply at the following schools:
- Birchville School
- Fergusson Intermediate
- Fraser Crescent School
- Heretaunga College
- Hutt International Boys’ School
- Maidstone Intermediate School
- Oxford Crescent School
- Pinehaven School
- Plateau School
- Silverstream Christian School
- Silverstream School
- St Brendan’s School, Heretaunga
- St Joseph’s School, Uppwe Hutt
- St Patrick’s College, Silverstream
- Te Kura o Hau Karetu
- Tōtara Park School
- Trentham School
- Upper Hutt College
- Upper Hutt School
Note: Mangaroa School is included as part of Upper Hutt’s school variable speed limit programme. The school already has an existing 40km/h variable speed limit that aligns with current national requirements, so no further changes are required at this location.
Check the operating time using map
When will the new speed limits apply?
From 1 July, the 30km/h speed limit will apply during signposted school travel periods, including:
- Before school starts
- After school finishes
- At selected early finish times for some schools
Exact times will be displayed on signage at each location.
The lower speed limit applies only on school days during school terms.
What do these signages in-operation look like?
Caption: An example of a static sign with operating hours that will be signposted in the affected school zone