Electronic speed signs to improve safety through small Far North settlement

The new electronic speed signs encouraging motorists to slow down as they drive through Kareponia on SH10 in the Far North.

New electronic speed signs have been switched on at Kareponia on State Highway 10 to improve safety through the small Far North community.

The signs are to encourage motorists to slow down on a stretch of the highway between Awanui and Kareponia where the speed limit is 100km/h.

The "Your Speed Is…/Slow Down" active sign on both approaches to Kareponia show an approaching vehicle's speed, but switches to a "Slow Down" message when the speed is over 80km/h.

"We have listened to the concerns of the local community, including iwi leaders, and we're taking steps to improve safety on this stretch of highway," NZ Transport Agency's Northland system manager Jacqui Hori Hoult said.

Hori Hoult said the speed signs were just a first step.

"We're also improving signage along the road and installing new school bus route signs where the route has changed. There is a new yellow no overtaking line on the road up the hill. The Transport Agency and Te Rūnanga-ā-Iwi o Ngāti Kahu have also provided high visibility vests to local children to wear to and from school."

"The local community has been calling for the speed limit to be reduced from 100km/h and we'll certainly be looking at that, but there is a process to go through and it takes time.

''The speed signs are a temporary measure to improve safety until a speed management review between Awanui and Kaingaroa is completed. We'll start public engagement on that later this year," Hori Hoult said.

Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngati Kahu chief executive Anahera Herbert-Graves said the way the NZTA supported the tikanga of the hapū rangatira is a very good first step in the process.

A 65-year-old man died when two cars collided at Kareponia Hill in March last year.