Signs have been installed to slow traffic outside Hunterville School after an 18-month battle.
Last year, a student group lobbied Rangitikei District Council to install electronic signs that could flash a 40km/h speed limit before and after school.
The signs were unveiled last week with the pupils who formed the Speed Outside School (SOS) group, now in high school, in attendance, alongside Mayor Andy Watson and Deputy Mayor Dean McManaway.
The signs were officially unveiled by Mr McManaway and SOS chairwoman Meg Marshall. Hunterville School principal Stephen Lewis said the committee was largely responsible for getting the signs approved by council and described them as "impressive and effective".
"Part of the reason for making such a big deal of it was to make a platform so we could acknowledge those girls," Mr Lewis said.
"The process that they went through hopefully might see them take an interest in local body politics in the future."
SOS included Meg Marshall, Bridgette Manunui, Fiona Collie, Hannah Williams and Grace Godfrey, who attended council meetings and submitted to council plans.
Earlier this year, a council-commissioned report found no need for the signs, which Mr Lewis disputed and the school continued to push for speed-reduction measures.
However, at the same time, the New Zealand Transport Agency made available the "40km/h when children present" signs.
It was a compromise the council and the school could agree on and it was approved by the council in June.