Growing Call For A Halt To Dangerous And Undemocratic Speed Increases

Scoop

02-06-2025

Press Release – City Vision
With no notification to affected communities and questions rising about the unworkability of Simeon Browns Speed Rule, it is reckless in the extreme to push ahead with the speed increases, says Albert-Eden Local Board member Christina Robertson.
2 June 2025
City Vision elected members and candidates are backing their communities and leading road safety organisations in calling for a halt to the dangerous and undemocratic speed increases taking place on over 1400 streets across Auckland.
Auckland Transport has claimed that these increases are necessary under the 2024 Speed Rule, but questions have been raised with both the Minister of Transport Chris Bishop and the AT Board about the conflict between the Speed Rule and AT's statutory purpose to 'contribute to an effective, efficient, and safe Auckland land transport system in the public interest'.
'With no notification to affected communities and questions rising about the unworkability of Simeon Brown's Speed Rule, it is reckless in the extreme to push ahead with the speed increases,' says Albert-Eden Local Board member Christina Robertson.
'We know other cities like Hamilton and Dunedin have interpreted the Speed Rule differently, and that the Minister has said that he's comfortable with their approach. We know raising speed limits will cost lives. Why isn't AT's leadership taking the chance to pause and ask the Minister to clarify how they should resolve this conflict between the Rule and the legislation?' asks Dr Robertson.
'Faced with a conflict between applying a new rule, and clear evidence that that will lead to increased harms and even death, directors have no choice but to explore every avenue to protect the public. Otherwise it is hard to see what their role is even for,' says Patrick Reynolds, former NZTA board member and candidate for Waitematā and Gulf Ward.
The evidence is clear. Raising speed limits–outside train stations, in quiet residential streets, outside parks and early childhood centres and (for 23 hours of the day) outside schools–will contribute to a transport system that is less effective, less efficient, and most importantly less safe.
'30km/hr speeds work. Pushing people back into cars puts kids at greater risk, especially during the school run when the streets are busiest. Auckland Transport math is waiting for at least one of our tamariki to die on our local streets before they will stand up again for safe speeds,' says Emma McInnes, founder of the Waterview School bike train and candidate for Albert-Eden Local Board.
Waitematā Local Board member Alex Bonham notes, 'I've worked with advocates to save an area in Ponsonby from speed increases. The limit was set at 30kph because it made sense in our narrow residential streets. AT accepted that the Speed Rule doesn't apply because it was for the community at large. That speed limits must rise in other areas like Arch Hill, Freemans Bay and Parnell because the consultation there also acknowledged the benefits to children going to school is bizarre.'
'When I've asked, AT have said they don't want to do these changes, and that safety is their priority. And yet AT is persisting down a path they don't have to follow, taking actions that are counterproductive to their stated goals. It's baffling that they haven't been open with the public about why they're doing this, and for communities concerned about their safe speeds, the lack of answers does nothing to rebuild public trust and confidence,' says Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa councillor Julie Fairey.
'AT was created partly to ensure Aucklanders get a transport system that doesn't get destroyed based on political whims. However, what we have here is an indecent rush to overturn evidence-based policy at a cost to ratepayers, all based on a badly written rule out of Wellington,' says Jon Turner, Puketāpapa Local Board member and candidate for Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa Ward.
AT must not knowingly endanger the Aucklanders whose safety it is responsible for. To resolve the conflict between the Speed Rule and AT's duty under law, AT must urgently clarify the status of a rule which conflicts so directly with its legislative purpose. City Vision endorses the call for a pause by civil society groups including All Aboard Aotearoa, Bike Auckland, Walk Auckland, Living Streets Aotearoa, Access Matters Aotearoa and Blind Low Vision NZ, and calls on Minister Bishop and AT Board Chair Richard Leggat to work together to find a common-sense way forward.
City Vision is an alliance of Labour, Greens and community independents working together for progressive change in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Since 1998, City Vision has championed policies that support a liveable, safe, connected, healthy, economically and environmentally sustainable city for all Aucklanders. City Vision stands candidates in the Waitematā, Puketāpapa and Albert-Eden Local Board areas, and the Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa and Waitematā and Gulf Wards.