Road signs in New Zealand



Road signs in New Zealand are similar to those set by the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. While New Zealand is not a signatory to the convention, its road signs are generally close in shape and function. New Zealand uses yellow diamond-shaped signs for warnings in common with Australia, the Americas, Ireland, Japan and Thailand. Speed limit signs are a red circle with a white background and the limitation in black, and are in kilometres per hour. There are also some signs unique to New Zealand. Road signs in New Zealand are controlled by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and are prescribed in the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004 and set out in the Traffic Control Devices (TCD) Manual.

Most of these signs were only introduced between 1987 and 1990, replacing older-style signs with white text on black backgrounds - square with a red border for regulatory signs and diamond with a yellow border. Warning signs and the Give Way sign were replaced from 1987, regulatory signs from 1989, and parking signs from 1990. The only signs that remained the same were the Stop sign and the speed limit sign (although the "km/h" legend from metrication was removed). Some of the older signs can still be seen on some rural roads. New Zealand drives on the left.

Speed limits are posted in multiples of 10 km/h, and range from 10 - 110 km/h, with 110 km/h being the maximum legal speed for motor vehicles in New Zealand. The Manual of Traffic Signs and Markings specifies that advisory speeds (PW-25) always end in digit "5", however there are some advisory speed signs that do not comply with the Manual and end in zero.

In 2023, the then Labour government made moves to have Bilingual road signs with English and Māori in New Zealand. One poll found 48% of the New Zealand public supported the idea, with 44% opposing. Another poll found 32% were in support and opposition was at 45%.

Warning signs
Warning signs are yellow diamonds and thus follow the American MUTCD design.

Location Referencing Management System (LRMS)
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA; Māori: Waka Kotahi) uses a linear location referencing system for its State Highway network, nationwide. This assists roading contractors, safety auditors and emergency services in pin-pointing locations across the country. The LRMS features several types of signs and methods of reference. All KMP's are installed using a calibrated Trip Meter from the beginning of the road. ERP's however, are placed using land surveying equipment.

All LRMS signs are installed on the 'true left' side of the lane or carriageway, this is determined by the left hand side when facing the increasing direction, The increasing direction of travel is the direction in which positive measurements are made. Divided carriageways (roads with concrete berms or centrelines) have an Increasing (I) side and a Decreasing (D) side. This can be seen on LRMS signs in these areas.

Established Route Position (ERP)
Established Route Position signs are used to highlight a special location or bearing on the highway, These are placed routinely along the carriageways, usually every 3 km. They feature the current Reference Station and the number of kilometres from the beginning of that Reference Station. These are required by the NZTA to have an accuracy of less than 3 metres. ERP signs are double-sided and feature a reflective green strip. They also have a small yellow triangle on the post pointing in the roads increasing direction.

Kilometre Marker Post (KMP)
Kilometre Marker Post signs are used to highlight the progression along the highway, These are placed routinely along the carriageways, every 1000 metres. They feature the State Highway Shield, the current Reference Station and the number of kilometres from the beginning of that Reference Station. These are required by the NZTA to have an accuracy of less than 100 metres. KMP signs are on plastic, flexible posts. They are double-sided and feature a reflective black strip.

Reference Station (RS)
Reference Station signs are placed at the change of a Reference Station, or beginning of a Highway. KMP and ERP signs are reset to zero at the beginning of each RS.