Petition update, good news!

Good afternoon, I hope this update finds all of you well.  First of all I would like to report that there appears to be some posative  movemnt on our petition.  After having met the our local MP David MacLeod several times in the last year he was finally able to persuade the  Hon Chris Bishop  Transportation Minister to have his team re-evalutate our current situation in Oakura.    Thank you to everyone who has raised concerns and supported the cause regarding the safety on State Highway 45 at the northern and southern entrances to Oakura.

The Minister has confirmed that Oakura is recognised as a potential location for a future SH45 speed-limit change, but no decision or funding is currently in place.

The Minister of Transport has advised that NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi recognises community concerns about vehicle speeds, visibility and safety in these areas. NZTA has reviewed the site and considers there is sufficient justification for a possible speed-limit change, reflecting Oakura’s characteristics and updated national risk assessments.

Oakura has therefore been included in NZTA’s longer-term programme of potential speed-limit changes. This is a positive acknowledgement of the issues raised by residents, including township growth, new housing development and increased use of facilities such as Corbett Park.

However, no change has yet been approved and no funding has been committed. Funding for additional state-highway speed-limit changes in the current National Land Transport Programme is fully allocated. Further eligible proposals, including Oakura, will be considered during the next programme period, covering 2027–30.

NZTA will continue monitoring SH45 at Oakura, including changes in traffic, land use, the surrounding environment and safety performance. Community feedback, petitions and stakeholder requests have been formally recorded as part of the assessment process.

We will continue to keep the community informed as further information becomes available.  Please see that attached photo with a copy of the letter recieved by David's office.