Speed limits on State Highway 36 are not expected to be changed any time soon, despite residents claiming the limit is too high.
The road was the scene of a double fatal crash on Tuesday, October 7.
In Friday's Rotorua Daily Post Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell, who lives on a side road off the highway, said he supported those who wanted the road to be made safer.
He said the couple who were killed last week, Elaine and James Simon, were from his marae, which made the issue even more pertinent.
Their deaths have been referred to the coroner, said acting road policing manager Sergeant Pauline Jones.
Residents who have spoken to the Rotorua Daily Post since the crash have said the speed limit was too high.
But, New Zealand Transport Agency Waikato/Bay of Plenty regional director Harry Wilson said the stretch of road was not a priority for speed reductions.
"Every crash resulting in death or serious injury on our roads is a tragedy and the Transport Agency's thoughts are with the family of those involved in last week's fatal crash," he said.
"While last week's crash is a tragic event, this section of state highway does not have a history of serious crashes, with just one serious injury crash recorded in this area for the five years from 2009 to 2013."
He said the agency could review the speed limit to assess whether it met criteria for a lowered speed limit if specifically asked by the community, however to date there was no evidence that suggested speed had been a factor in crashes on that road.
"The safety of all road users is the Transport Agency's top priority and we regularly review speed limits on all state highways around New Zealand. It's important to remember that the speed limit is the maximum speed that you can travel safely on any given road in ideal driving conditions.
"The way we drive affects others, and we all have a responsibility to look out for others we share the road with. Other people make mistakes, and ultimately it is your speed that determines the outcome when that happens.
"The New Zealand road network traverses some very challenging terrain, and many parts of the network are not forgiving of human error. This is why the Government has adopted a 'safe system' approach which aims to improve all parts of the system to create a road system that is forgiving of human error so that mistakes don't cost lives or limbs."