A peculiar sight on Great Barrier Island has gone viral on social media, sparking a lively debate about the island’s recently reduced speed limits. The image, posted anonymously, shows not one, but two 40 km/h speed limit signs flanking either side of Walter Blackwell Road, leading up towards Sugarloaf.
The post has ignited a firestorm of comments, with over 150 residents offering a mix of reactions from humour to exasperation, to the new signage and the wider speed limit reductions implemented by Auckland Transport (AT) across the island.
One commenter, who drives on the island’s roads daily, captured the frustrations of many locals. “Quite frankly, 40 is too slow. It should have been 50 like everywhere else in NZ,” she wrote, noting that even 60 km/h is impractical on many of the island’s winding roads. “Corner cutters are going to be corner cutters until they have a head-on,” she added.
Some islanders took the opportunity to joke about the modernity creeping onto the island. “When’s the McDonald’s coming?” quipped Harrison Tossell, a reference to the slow encroachment of urban trappings into the fiercely independent motu. Another commenter suggested the signs were “for the tourists,” emphasizing the struggle between accommodating visitors and maintaining local culture. Many commenters pointed out that the new speed limits might not even be necessary. “There’s no way of getting up to 60 km/h on some of the island’s roads anyway!” laughed one local.
Others, however, were less amused. One user claimed to have witnessed speeds up to 120 km/h on the island’s narrow roads, sparking concern over safety. Some suggested that signs reminding tourists to “keep left” would be far more useful on the island’s challenging terrain. “Arrows on the road could help,” suggested one local, underscoring the common complaints about drivers struggling to tackle the island’s narrow roads. Many cited the potential risks to children and pedestrians.
The recent speed limit reductions are part of a broader effort by AT to improve safety on Great Barrier Island roads. The new base speed limit is set at 60 km/h, with designated areas like Tryphena, Claris, and Okiwi having a further reduced limit of 40 km/h.
According to council employee Kathy Cumming, the changes follow public consultations held last August and received support from residents, particularly those concerned about speeding near schools. Data collected in June also indicated excessive speeds in certain locations, justifying the reductions.
“As with all consultations, it doesn’t mean a damn.” one commenter jibed. Others worried that the changes would erode the island’s unique charm. “Slowly, Aotea has been losing its island feel, with all the signage everywhere,” wrote one, reflecting a sense of nostalgia for a less regulated era.
The local board, led by chair Izzy Fordham and transport lead Patrick O’Shea, endorsed the move, citing the need to create a safer environment for pedestrians and businesses.
