Service status

Making Elizabeth Street Safer for Everyone  

We’re continuing work to make Elizabeth Street in Waikanae safer and easier to use, especially for people walking, crossing the road, or visiting local shops. Construction on the next stage of safety improvements is planned to begin in early 2026. 

This work builds on the safety upgrades completed in 2024 at the Winara Avenue and Seddon Street intersections, and responds to ongoing safety concerns raised by the community. 

Why changes are needed:

Elizabeth Street is a busy and important route. It’s the only road crossing the railway tracks to eastern Waikanae and is used daily by residents, visitors, school children, and people travelling to Reikorangi, Akatarawa Road and the Hemi Matenga Scenic Reserve. 

Over time, several safety issues have been identified, including: 

A road safety study recommended improvements to slow traffic, improve visibility, and create safer crossing points. These upcoming changes are designed to respond directly to those recommendations. 

The planned improvements will: 

What to expect during construction: 

For updates on the site-specific work please check in here or download Antenno and save your locations of interest. 

What’s happening and where:

Site A: Near the Main Road traffic signals – April 2026 

We’ll be improving pedestrian access near the traffic lights by installing new crossing ramps and shifting the stop line. This will allow people to safely use the existing refuge island without needing to walk between vehicles stopped at red lights. 

Work here is planned for April 2026 and will be coordinated with KiwiRail works at the nearby level crossing. 

Site B: Between Anne Street and Seddon Street (near shops and cafés) – Early January 2026 

A new raised zebra crossing will be installed to slow traffic and give pedestrians priority in an area with high foot traffic. 

Parking changes in this area 

Site C: Near Bupa Winara Rest Home – late January 2026 

The existing courtesy crossing on the bend near the rest home will be upgraded to make it more visible and safer to use. 

Site D: Reinforcing the 50km/h speed limit – late January 2026 

At the eastern end of Elizabeth Street, the 50km/h signs will be relocated and made larger. This is where speeding is most common, and the changes will help reinforce the lower speed limit. 

Talking with the community 

We have been talking directly with nearby businesses to understand their views and answer questions.  

There will also be a formal opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed parking changes and new no-stopping lines when these are publicly advertised in January 2026.