A sign cock-up has left Coastlands residents scratching their heads this week, unsure about what times in the morning and afternoon they will have to slow down around their school.

New variable speed signs have been erected around the suburb warning of the kura ahead – Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Orini ki Ngāti Awa – and asking motorists to slow down to a yet-to-be-unveiled speed.

The confusion has arisen because despite being located in proximity, the three signs show different time periods that drivers must slow down for.

One says between 8.10am and 8.50am, then again from 2.40pm to 3.30pm; another says from 8.20am to 9am then from 2.40pm to 3pm, while a third sign records 8am to 8.40am and 2.30pm to 3.10pm.

Noting their confusion on social media, residents commented, “This is so bizarre,” and suggested “Maybe one’s for the day care and the other for the school.”

Another person suggested “maybe because by the time you drive to Coastlands and turn around at the beach it will be 10 min later”.

The answer is simple – an installation error.

Whakatāne District Council manager of transportation Ann-Elise Reynolds said the signs in Coastlands should all record 7.30am to 8.10am and 3.20pm to 4pm as the times to slow down.

“We have a suite of pre printed variable school speed signs ready for rollout across the Whakatāne district, and some of the incorrect time panels from that batch were fitted to Coastlands signs,” she said.

“These signs are not yet in operation. The speed limit panels are currently taped over, and the variable speed limits will not come into effect until all signage is corrected and the changes are officially launched.”

Ms Reynolds said council contractors would correct the signs as soon as possible.

“While there will be different school zone times across the wider Whakatāne district to reflect individual school layouts and schedules, Coastlands is intended to run as a single, consistent time zone.”

Under legislation passed in 2024, all schools will have variable speed signs erected before July 1, 2026.

New Zealand Transport Agency director of regional relationships for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty Andrew Corkill said introducing lower speed limits at school drop-off and pick-up times would make a real difference in keeping children and their families safe,

“All eligible schools, including those on 100kmh roads, will have variable speed limits installed. 

“When the signs are operational, mainly before and after school, speed limits will typically drop to 30kmh or 60kmh, depending on the road and safety requirements. 

“The variable speed limits operate for up to 45 minutes before and after the school bell and can also be activated for short periods at other times when there are significant numbers of children around the school entrance,” Mr Corkill said.

The first schools in the Whakatāne district to receive new variable speed zones were Waimana and Te Mahoe School, which had signs installed in July 2025.

New limited speed zones have also been introduced outside Awakeri School, Matatā School and Nukuhou North School,

Schools in the Ōpōtiki district receiving the new signs under the NZTA rollout include Kutarere School, Ōpōtiki College, Ōpōtiki Primary School, Te Kura Mana Māori o Whangaparāoa, Te Kura o Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, and Te Kura o Torere.

Ms Reynolds said the Whakatāne council would soon be releasing further information about its rollout of variable speed limit signs across the district.