Speed limit change Hatfields Beach, Hibiscus Coast Highway
We are proposing a speed limit change to 50km/h on the Hibiscus Coast Highway through Hatfields Beach.
Project outcome
On Tuesday 24th February, the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board confirmed its unanimous support for reinstating a 50km/h speed limit through Hatfields Beach.
We will now submit the required documentation to NZTA Waka Kotahi for certification by the Director of Land Transport. This process can take several weeks.
The new 50km/h speed limit is expected to take effect sometime in April. Keep an eye out for new signs and road markings.
The consultation feedback report is available as an attachment at the top of this page.
About the project
As part of recent changes to the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 Auckland Transport (AT) was required to revert the Hibiscus Coast Highway urban section between Orewa and the bridge at the north end of Hatfields Beach to its pre-2020 speed limit of 70 km/h.
The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board supported the previous change to a 50k/h limit, and residents in the Hatfields Beach area expressed concerns regarding raising the limit back to 70km/h.
We have reviewed the area again recently and now invite the local community to share their views on our proposal to return this section of road to a 50km/h speed limit.
The changes we are proposing:
We are proposing to lower the speed limit on Hibiscus Coast Highway through Hatfields Beach to 50km/h. This aligns with urban speed limits, reflecting the amount of residential housing in the Hatfields Beach area and community concerns about safety near the beachfront parking area adjacent to the road.
Benefits of this project:
- Improved pedestrian safety
- Lower vehicle speeds
If the community is supportive of this change, we would like to introduce the new speed limit as soon as possible during the busy summer holiday season.
Cost benefit disclosure statement:
The government's Land Transport Rule - Setting of Speed Limit Rule 2024 requires us to complete a cost benefit disclosure statement for the proposed speed limit change. This sets out the expected impact of the speed limit changes on safety and travel times, and the expected implementation cost.
The proposed reduction is expected to -
- lower the average speed on this stretch of road from 57 km/h to 51 km/h
- cause a 12-second travel time increase
- incur an implementation cost of $15,000
See the full report at the top of the page.
The map below shows the extent of the proposed speed limit change:
What happens next?
- Community consultation is open for six weeks until 28 November 2025.
- We will consider all community feedback prior to a final decision being made
- Dependent on community feedback, re-introduce 50km/h speed limit through Hatfields Beach as soon as possible.
How to contact us
We welcome you to share your thoughts with us by 28 November 2025, please email us at ATengagement@at.govt.nz
