From NZ Transport Agency:

Speed limits for a section of SH77 in the town of Methven will change towards the end of July, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).  

Methven is the gateway town to Mt Hutt skifield and more recently has its own thermal pools centre – Ōpuke Thermal Pools. The new 600 metre speed limit area reduces the state highway speed from 100 to 60, from north of the township, with its 50km/hour speed limit, to just past the entrance to the new pools.

At the end of 2022, people in Methven told NZTA that the 100km/hour speed limit no longer fitted this neighbourhood where people go to and from the hot pools and racecourse, often on bikes or on foot on the path next to the highway. NZTA’s technical assessment supported this feedback and a reduced speed limit to match the road environment.

“In the days leading up to when the new speed limit applies, electronic signs on the roadside will display the ‘go-live’ date and Police will be in the area in the days following to remind drivers of the change,” says NZTA Director Regional Relationships James Caygill.

Two weeks of advertising will give people notice of the exact date the new speed limits will apply from.  

Feedback on speed limits north of the township showed unanimous support for a reduction further than was initially proposed, he says.

Background: the legal process for setting speed limits is changing

Last week, the Minister of Transport released a proposed new Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits – now open for public consultation and planned to come into force at the end of the year.

NZTA is working under the current process (2022 version of the Rule) for the SH77 Methven township north speed limit change. The change is also consistent with the intent of the incoming 2024 Rule.  

When the new Rule comes into effect, there could be more speed changes for Canterbury highways, including Methven schools on SH77. Here is a link to more information on highway speed limit proposals: www.nzta.govt.nz/ISMP