Russell-Kororāreka Speed Management Consultation

What solutions did Abley provide 

With shifting government priorities, Abley’s Consultation & Engagement (C&E) Team delivered a comprehensive communications strategy to proactively engage with the community and support council staff and elected members through the proposed changes to New Zealand’s Setting of Speed Limits Rule. 

Strategic Support 

• Interpreted the rule changes and provided guidance via one-on-one sessions and an industry webinar, helping council staff maintain trust and clarity with elected members. 

• Developed a consultation strategy that prioritised road safety while addressing the implications of the new rule. 
  
  

Evidence-Based Messaging 

• Abley’s Economics & Modelling team quantified the impact of speed on travel time and reductions in Deaths and Serious Injuries (DSIs). 

• These insights were used to craft clear, evidence-based messaging for the community. 

• Timelines were adjusted and communicated transparently, with tailored engagement for schools and hapū. 
  
  

Communication Materials 

Abley produced a suite of digital and print resources to engage a diverse audience: 

• Simplified messaging explaining the proposed changes, impacts, and next steps. 

• A consultation webpage and Social Pinpoint platform with interactive maps and comment features. 

• Community survey available online and in hard copy. 

• Hard copy maps showing current and proposed speed limits. 

• FAQs for media and public, covering project scope, impacts, and regulatory context. 

  
  

 Reporting & Outcomes 

Two reports captured consultation feedback and supported decision-making: 

• Public Engagement Report summarised community input and themes. 

• Elected Member Engagement Report included strategic analysis, economic impacts, DSI and travel time assessments, and compliance mapping. 

Publishing these reports reinforced council transparency, acknowledged public feedback, and equipped elected members with the insights needed for informed decisions. 

What were the outcomes 

The consultation campaign received over 350 submissions from stakeholders and the community, which was considered significant feedback for an area with a population of approximately 1000. Community participation included attendance at two drop-in sessions held at local venues, 206 interactive map comments, 103 survey responses, and 45 email submissions. 

Following consultation, Elected Members requested a recommendation report for speed limit changes in the Russell-Kororāreka area. This lays the foundations for the development of a speed management plan that the NZ Transport Agency will consider, promoting safer speeds in this part of the Far North of New Zealand.  

The comprehensive feedback and strong community support for lower speeds has led Far North District Council to consider implementing these changes using entirely local funding, as central government funding is currently unavailable for speed limit modifications. This outcome directly reflects the effectiveness of the consultation process. 

Valuable insights for future clients 

Empowering decision making: The C & E approach equipped the council with a robust framework for decisive leadership and unwavering commitment during shifting central government policy. Through comprehensive communications, elected members and senior leaders gained clear understanding of the impacts of changes to the Speed Limit Setting Rule. This enabled rapid decision-making that allowed the consultation campaign to adapt seamlessly with minimal disruption. 

Investment in communications: The investment in building a consultation strategy and engaging with the public at multiple stages laid a foundation for the community to be receptive to the changes proposed in the Speed Management Plan. This also provided Elected Members the confidence to support the Speed Management Plan. 

Comprehensive consultation and engagement strategy: Systematic, step-by-step stakeholder engagement approach delivered immediate impact. Early outreach to schools, iwi, and hapū, combined with multiple feedback channels, both digital and face-to-face, increased community awareness and ensured diverse voices were represented in the consultation. 

Consistent and transparent communication: Ongoing communication throughout the campaign ensured community members clearly understood the consultation scope and how their feedback would be utilised. Changes to the Settings of the Speed Rule were communicated quickly and clearly to both the community and Elected Members, outlining the impacts of the changes and maintaining trust in the consultation process. 

Client feedback

Elizabeth Stacey, Team Leader - Capital Works & Renewals, Far North District Council 2025 says:

"Abley helped our team interpret the proposed changes to New Zealand’s Setting of Speed Limits Rule and develop a consultation strategy that prioritised road safety while acknowledging the implications of the proposed rule changes. They produced both public-facing and elected member reports that creatively and clearly captured insights from the five-week consultation, providing valuable support to both the project team and council communications staff. 

As the project lead, I relied on their expertise and national experience in the road safety space. The quality of their deliverables, along with their communication and support throughout the project, was exceptional." 

To discuss this project further or any related communications and engagement work, please contact Cath Jacobs.