Following public consultation Waikato District Council approved an update to the Traffic Bylaw to prohibit private light motor vehicles on some of the roads within the Northgate Industrial Park in Horotiu between the hours of 9pm and 4am in conjunction with Onion Road which was previously adopted.
Council has added the following roads in Horotiu to Schedule 7 of the Traffic Bylaw 2023:
- Holmes Road, from Onion Road to Kohia Drive;
- Kohia Drive, from Holmes Road to Gateway Drive;
- Spence Way, off Kohia Drive;
- Evolution Drive, off Gateway Drive; and
- Innovation Way, off Evolution Drive.
This prohibition applies to Light Motor Vehicles (under 3,500kg), between the hours of 9pm and 4am, but does not apply to vehicles legitimately visiting or operating within any residential property or business that is within the prohibited area, or to passenger service vehicles (such as taxis or ridesharing services).
Prohibition enforcement is discretionary; its intended purpose is to add tools for the NZ Police to be able to deal with nuisance drivers (boy racers), and not negatively affecting legitimate users of the roads. At no time will the roads be physically closed and vehicles can continue to pass through the area on legitimate business.
Signage will be installed on Onion Road, Holmes Road, Kohia Drive and Evolution Drive in the week beginning 18 August 2025 after which the prohibition will become active.
