Central city, Have your say  |  26 May 2025

Share this story

Changes to speed limits on streets around One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha are again out for feedback from residents.

Christchurch City Council is reconsulting on speed limit changes until Wednesday 9 July.

A range of new speed limits around the city’s stadium were due to come into effect in the next few months, when the water and roading upgrades around the stadium are completed.

However, the Government’s new Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024, which came into force after the project was approved by the Council, does not allow changes approved under the previous rule to go ahead.

New speed limits are being proposed, which comply with the updated Rule.

Street Speed limits approved under old Rule Speed limits proposed under new Rule
Madras Street (Moorhouse to Hereford) 30 km/h  40 km/h
Tuam Street (Madras to Fitzgerald) 30 km/h  40 km/h
Lichfield Street (Barbadoes to Fitzgerald) 30 km/h  40 km/h
Duke Street (Tuam to Lichfield) 30 km/h  40 km/h
Hereford Street (across Latimer Square) 30 km/h  40 km/h
St Asaph Street (Ferry to Madras) 30 km/h  40 km/h
Lichfield Street (Madras to Manchester) 10km/h 10km/h

 

As speed limits of 30 km/h are not allowed on urban streets under the new Rule, the Council is proposing to change the speeds to 40 km/h around the new stadium.

The section of Lichfield Street, between Madras to Manchester Streets, is proposed to remain at the 10 km/h speed previously approved. This section of Lichfield Street is classified as a civic space, like the area outside Te Pae Convention Centre.

The tram, vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians will share this newly redeveloped area, so a slower speed will help keep everyone safe, particularly when large events are on.

A speed change from 50 km/h to 40 km/h on a section of Barbadoes Street between Hereford Street and Tuam Street is also being considered, so all the speeds around the stadium are uniform. This change was to be adjusted under the Safer Speeds Plan, which is also affected by the new Rule.

The Government’s new Rule also requires the Council to reverse permanent speed limit reductions on seven specified roads by 1 July 2025.  

Variable speed limits of 30km/h outside schools must also be implemented before 1 July 2026, under the Rule.