Challenge to speed cut on highway

• Published date: 10 March 2022
• Publication title: Taupo Weekender

The petition of highway resident Kiri Goodspeed attracted 8188 online signatures, objecting particularly to the decision to make the change permanent, and was one of five petitions referred to the Parliamentary Petitions Committee. The session was otherwise devoted to a prime ministerial statement recognising the return of the Parliament grounds and the service of police, fire, ambulance during the 23-day anti-mandate occupation and its end last Wednesday

Goodspeed said she had been told the number who had supported the petition, which opened in mid-January, was a “good outcome” considering the shortish duration.

The State Highway 5 speed limit from Esk Valley to Rangitaiki Plains was lowered from 100km/h to 80km/h on February 18, as part of a Road to Zero strategy to cut the annual number of road fatalities nationwide by 40 per cent by 2030 and eliminate the toll by 2050. While announced as permanent, an NZTA spokesperson has since said there will be a review after 12 months.

Opponents have questioned the veracity of criticising public consultation last year...