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.[2] 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 kilometres per hour [km/h] (6.2 mph), and range from 10–110 km/h (6–68 mph), 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.[3]
In 2023, the then Labour government made moves to have bilingual road signs with English and Māori.[4][5] 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%.[6][7]
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10 km/h speed limit
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20 km/h speed limit
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30 km/h speed limit
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40 km/h speed limit
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50 km/h speed limit
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60 km/h speed limit
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70 km/h speed limit
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80 km/h speed limit
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90 km/h speed limit
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100 km/h speed limit
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110 km/h speed limit
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Temporary 10 km/h speed limit
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Temporary 20 km/h speed limit
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Temporary 30 km/h speed limit
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Temporary 40 km/h speed limit
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Temporary 50 km/h speed limit
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Temporary 60 km/h speed limit
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Temporary 70 km/h speed limit
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Temporary 80 km/h speed limit
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Speed limit derestricted (no posted speed limit, maximum of 100 km/h applies but drive to conditions)
-
School zone speed limit
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Locality speed limit
-
Locality speed limit
-
-
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Give Way (fluorescent version)
-
Straight ahead traffic give way
-
Right turning traffic give way
-
Left turning traffic give way
-
Give way to cyclists
-
Give way to cyclists and pedestrians
-
Give Way at Roundabout (give way to vehicles coming from the right)
-
Give Way at Roundabout (fluorescent version)
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School Patrol Stop (used by
crossing wardens when children are crossing the street, vehicles must stop)
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Perforated version
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Stop on Red Signal (used at traffic lights)
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Stop Here on Red Signal (used at traffic lights)
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Give Way to Oncoming Vehicles
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Priority Over Oncoming Vehicles
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Turning Traffic Give Way To Pedestrians
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Turning Traffic Give Way To Cyclists
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Straight Ahead Traffic Give Way To Cyclists
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One Vehicle per Green each lane (used underneath
ramp meters on motorway
on-ramps)
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No Left Turn
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No Right Turn
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No U-turn
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No Entry
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No entry except buses
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No entry except cycles
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No entry except authorised vehicles
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Road Closed
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Wrong Way
-
Wrong Way - Go Back
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Turn Left
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Proceed Straight Ahead (no turns allowed)
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Turn Right
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Turn Left or Right
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One-way traffic (pointing left)
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One-way traffic (pointing right)
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Keep Left
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Keep Left (narrow version)
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Keep Right
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Keep Right (narrow version)
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This Lane Must Turn Left
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This Lane Must Turn Right
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This Lane Must Proceed Straight
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This Lane May Proceed Straight or Turn Left
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This Lane May Proceed Straight or Turn Right
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Traffic may use the Below Lane - National Speed Limit applies (Used on motorways where
variable speed limits usually apply, but are inactive at the time.)
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Traffic may use the Below Lane (Variable sign used when
Dynamic Lanes are in use, and in some motorway tunnels.)
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Lane Closure Ahead - Traffic merge left (Used on motorways where
variable lane control is used.)
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Lane Closure Ahead - Traffic merge right (Used on motorways where
variable lane control is used.)
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Only traffic using the next exit may use the below lane (Used on motorways where
variable lane control is used.)
[8]
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Lane Closed - Traffic May Not use the Below Lane (Used on where
variable lane control or
Dynamic Lanes are used.)
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Bus Lane
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Buses Only
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Transit Lane ends
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Transit Lane ends
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Cycle Lane
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Cycles Only
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Heavy Vehicle/Truck Lane
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Shared Cycle and Pedestrian Path
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Cyclists and Pedestrians Maintain Sides
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Cyclists and Pedestrians Maintain Sides
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Emergency Stopping Lane Only
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Emergency Stopping Lane Only during times specified
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Emergency Stopping Lane
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Signal bypass transit lane for vehicles carrying 2 or more persons and heavy vehicles exceeding 3500 kilograms
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Signal bypass transit lane for vehicles carrying 3 or more persons and heavy vehicles exceeding 3500 kilograms
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Signal bypass transit lane for vehicles carrying 2 or more persons and heavy vehicles exceeding 3500 kilograms
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Signal bypass transit lane for vehicles carrying 3 or more persons and heavy vehicles exceeding 3500 kilograms
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Do not Stop for Signals
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Signals do not apply
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Signals do not apply
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Bus and Electric Vehicle Lane
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Buses and Electric Vehicles Only
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Transit lane for vehicles carrying 2 or more persons and electric vehicles irrespective of the number of persons in the vehicle
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Transit lane for vehicles carrying 3 or more persons and electric vehicles irrespective of the number of persons in the vehicle
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Transit lane for vehicles carrying 2 or more persons, heavy vehicles exceeding 3500 kilograms and electric vehicles irrespective of the number of persons in the vehicle
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Transit lane for vehicles carrying 3 or more persons, heavy vehicles exceeding 3500 kilograms and electric vehicles irrespective of the number of persons in the vehicle
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No Cycles or Mopeds
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No Pedestrians
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No Heavy Vehicles/Trucks
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Maximum Height Restriction
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Pedestrians Only (marks a pedestrian zone where motor vehicles are prohibited)
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Cycles Must Exit
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Class C road (Heavy vehicles can drive on this road only to deliver or collect goods or passengers along the road)
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Class I road
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Class I road until date specified
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Maximum Length for Heavy Vehicles
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Heavy vehicle axle weight limit
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No cruising zone
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No cruising zone begins
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No cruising zone ends
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Keep Left Unless Passing
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Use Left Lane Unless Passing
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Regulatory sign effective ahead
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Regulatory sign effective begins
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Regulatory sign effective ends
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Regulatory sign effective in 100 metres
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(R6-10.1) No Stopping
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(RP-1.1) No Stopping (on both sides of this sign)
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(R6-11) No Stopping at times prescribed (on both sides of this sign)
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(R6-11.1) Late Night Extension (added to R6-11)
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(R6-12.1) Clearway (No Stopping) (with single peak time)
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(R6-12.2) Clearway (No Stopping) (with two peak times)
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(R6-12.3) Clearway (No Stopping) during times specified
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(R6-12.4) Clearway Begins
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(R6-12.5) Clearway Ends
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(R6-30) Parking Permitted: 30 Minutes (on the left of this sign, standard hours)
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(R6-30) Parking Permitted: 30 Minutes (on the right of this sign, standard hours)
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(R6-30) Parking Permitted: 30 Minutes (on both sides of this sign, standard hours)
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(R6-30.1) Late Night Extension
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(R6-31) Parking Permitted: 30 Minutes (on the left of this sign, non-standard hours)
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(R6-31) Parking Permitted: 30 Minutes (on the right of this sign, non-standard hours)
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(R6-31) Parking Permitted: 30 Minutes (on both sides of this sign, non-standard hours)
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(R6-32) Parking Permitted: 30 Minutes (on the left of this sign, other times)
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(R6-32) Parking Permitted: 30 Minutes (on the right of this sign, other times)
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(R6-32) Parking Permitted: 30 Minutes (on both sides of this sign, other times)
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(R6-50.5) Loading Zone Parking: 5 Minutes
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(R6-50.1) Good Vehicles Only
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(R6-50.2) 5 Minute Maximum, Goods Vehicles Only
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(R6-51) Motorcycle Parking
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(R6-52) Cycle Parking
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(R6-53) Bus Parking: No Limit
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(R6-53.3) Tour Coaches Only
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(R6-54) Shuttle Parking: No Limit
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(R6-55) Disabled Parking: No Limit
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(R6-70) No Parking
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(R6-71) No Parking: Bus Stop
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(R6-71B) No Parking: Bus Stop
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(R6-72.2) No Parking: Coach Stop
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(R6-72) No Parking: Taxi Stand
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(R6-73) No Parking: Shuttle Stop
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(R6-74) No Parking: Tram Stop
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(R6-79) No Parking: Emergency Vehicle Stop
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(RP-11) Coupon Parking Zone Begins
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(RP-11) Coupon Parking Zone Ends
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(RP-12) Coupon Parking Zone (repeater sign)
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Pay & Display Parking
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Vehicles With Permits Exempt
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Parking For Authorised Vehicles Only
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(A40-2)
Left Turn At Any Time With Care (usually used on
slip lanes)
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(A40-3) Warning Bells At Railway Crossing Turned Off (at times prescribed)
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(A41-3) Construction Zone (to the left)
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(A41-3) Construction Zone (to the right)
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(A41-4) Railway Not In Use
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(A40-7) Shared Zone
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(A41-4) Motorway Begins (80 km/h speed limit)
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(A41-4) Motorway Begins (100 km/h speed limit)
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(A41-1) Motorway Begins
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(A41-1.1) Motorway Begins
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(A41-1.2) Motorway Ends 100M
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(A41-1.3) Motorway Ends
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(A41-1.3) Motorway Ends
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(A41-4) Motorway Ends (30 km/h speed limit)
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(A41-4) Motorway Ends (40 km/h speed limit)
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(A41-4) Motorway Ends (50 km/h speed limit)
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(A41-4) Motorway Ends (60 km/h speed limit)
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(A41-4) Motorway Ends (70 km/h speed limit)
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(A41-4) Motorway Ends (80 km/h speed limit)
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(A41-4) Motorway Ends (90 km/h speed limit)
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(A41-2) Expressway Begins
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(A41-2.1) Expressway Begins
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(A41-2.2) Expressway Ends 100M
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(A41-2.3) Expressway Ends
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(A41-2.3) Expressway Ends
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(A45-1/IG-4) Heavy Vehicle By Pass Ahead (in 200 metres)
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(A45-2/IG-5) Heavy Vehicle By Pass (on left)
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(A45-2/IG-5) Heavy Vehicle By Pass (on right)
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(A42-1.1/IG-6.1) Passing Lane Ahead (in 1 kilometre)
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(A42-2/IG-7) Passing Bay Ahead (in 100 metres)
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(A42-3/IG-8) Slow Vehicle Bays (for the next 2 kilometres)
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(A42-4/IG-9) Slow Vehicle Bay Ahead (in 300 metres)
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(A42-5/IG-10) Slow Vehicle Bay (indicator sign)
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(A45-5/IG-17) Heavy Vehicles Please Do Not Use Engine Brakes (for the next 4 kilometres)
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(IG-18) Stock Effluent Disposal Point Ahead (on left, in 300 metres)
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(IG-18) Stock Effluent Disposal Point Ahead (on right, in 300 metres)
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(IG-18) Stock Effluent Disposal Point Ahead (turning left, in 300 metres)
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(IG-18) Stock Effluent Disposal Point Ahead (turning right, in 300 metres)
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(IG-19) Stock Effluent Disposal Point (turn left)
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(IG-19) Stock Effluent Disposal Point (turn right)
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(IG-19) Stock Effluent Disposal Point (veer left)
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(IG-19) Stock Effluent Disposal Point (veer right)
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(A43-3) Cyclists Cross Here With Care (to the left)
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(A43-3) Cyclists Cross Here With Care (to the right)
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(A43-1) Cyclists Use Left Shoulder
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(A43-2) Cyclists Use Ramp
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(A52) Safety camera area (Speed cameras / red light cameras nearby)
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(A52-1) Average speed camera area
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Stop ahead
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Give Way ahead
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10 km/h speed limit ahead
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20 km/h speed limit ahead
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30 km/h speed limit ahead
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40 km/h speed limit ahead
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50 km/h speed limit ahead
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60 km/h speed limit ahead
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70 km/h speed limit ahead
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80 km/h speed limit ahead
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90 km/h speed limit ahead
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Traffic signals ahead
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Merging traffic from left
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Merging traffic from right
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Merging traffic from both sides
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Road diverges (splits)
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Two-way traffic ahead
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Lane gain on left
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Lane gain on right
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-
Priority road straight ahead
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Priority road turns left
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Priority road turns right
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Controlled T-junction (priority turns left)
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Controlled T-junction (priority turns right)
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Uncontrolled T-junction
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Controlled side road junction on left
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Controlled side road junction on right
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Uncontrolled side road junction on left
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Uncontrolled side road junction on right
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Controlled Y-junction on right
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Controlled Y-junction on left
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Uncontrolled Y-junction
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Railway level crossing on side road to left
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Railway level crossing on side road to right
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Railway level crossing on side road to left
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Railway level crossing on side road to right
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Railway level crossing on side road to left
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Railway level crossing on side road to right
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Railway level crossing on controlled T-junction to left
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Railway level crossing on controlled T-junction to right
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Railway level crossing on uncontrolled T-junction to left
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Railway level crossing on uncontrolled T-junction to right
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Railway Crossbuck (with red backing board)
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90 degree curve, to left
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90 degree curve, to right
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Curve between 15 and 90 degrees, to left
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Curve between 15 and 90 degrees, to right
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Sharp curve between 90 and 120 degrees, to left
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Sharp curve between 90 and 120 degrees, to right
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Dangerous curve greater than 120 degrees, to left
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Dangerous curve greater than 120 degrees, to right
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Reverse curve less than 60 degrees, to left
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Reverse curve less than 60 degrees, to right
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Reverse curve greater than 60 degrees, to left
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Reverse curve greater than 60 degrees, to right
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Reverse curve with decreasing radius, to left
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Reverse curve with decreasing radius, to right
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Series of curves ahead, first to left
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Series of curves ahead, first to right
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Sign effective for the next 2 kilometres
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Advisory speed: 15 km/h
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Advisory speed: 25 km/h
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Advisory speed: 35 km/h
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Advisory speed: 45 km/h
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Advisory speed: 55 km/h
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Advisory speed: 65 km/h
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Advisory speed: 75 km/h
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Advisory speed: 85 km/h
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Advisory speed: 95 km/h
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Curve between 15 and 90 degrees with minor road, to left
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Curve between 15 and 90 degrees with minor road, to right
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Curve between 90 and 120 degrees with minor road, to left
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Curve between 90 and 120 degrees with minor road, to right
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Concealed
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Truck advisory speed (danger of rollover if speed is exceeded)
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Truck advisory speed (danger of rollover if speed is exceeded)
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Steep descent
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Steep ascent
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Steep descent (with grade)
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Steep ascent (with grade)
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Use lower gear
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Trucks use lower gear
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Pedestrians
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Aged pedestrians
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Pedestrian crossing ahead
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School crossing ahead
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Kōhanga reo crossing ahead
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Children
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School
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Kindergarten
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Kōhanga reo
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School bus route
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School bus turning area
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Watch for cyclists
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Cyclists merging
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Cyclists crossing
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Watch for horseriders
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Marae ahead
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Watch for animals (cattle)
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Watch for animals (
sheep)
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Watch for animals (deer)
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Watch for animals (wild horses)
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Watch for animals (seals)
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Watch for animals (pūkeko)
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Watch for animals (ducks)
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Watch for animals (penguins)
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Watch for animals (kiwi)
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Watch for animals (kererū)
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Road dip
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Uneven road or series of bumps ahead
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Slippery road
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Road slippery when frosty
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Road slippery when wet
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Road has slippery gravel surface
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Loose road surface (danger of stir up)
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Falling rocks or debris on left
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Falling rocks or debris on right
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Road narrows on left
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Road narrows on right
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Road narrows on both sides
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Narrow bridge
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Narrow Bridge, wide vehicles may come into your lane
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Maximum overhead clearance ahead
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Maximum height marker
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Overhead electrical cables
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Danger of powerful wind gusts
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Fire station
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Watch for trucks
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Watch for forklifts and other work vehicles
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Low-flying aircraft
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Low-flying helicopters
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Tunnel ahead
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Attention: Other Dangers! (never used alone, a supplementary plate will explain the danger)
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Cattle stop
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Gate
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Uncontrolled railway crossing ahead
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Uncontrolled railway crossing ahead
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Controlled railway crossing ahead with signals and gates
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Look both ways for trains before crossing
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Cyclists take care on rail tracks
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Railway crossing ahead at a right angle
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Railway crossing ahead at an oblique angle
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Railway crossing ahead at an oblique angle
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Light rail crossing
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Light rail crossing
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Prepare to stop ahead
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Hidden queue ahead
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Queued vehicles ahead
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Pedestrian crossing (Belisha beacon)
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Curve marker with integrated advisory speed
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Curve marker with integrated advisory speed
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Curve marker with integrated advisory speed
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Curve marker with integrated advisory speed
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Curve marker
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Curve marker
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Island curve marker
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Island curve marker
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End of road marker (used at T-junctions)
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End of road marker (used at T-junctions)
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Roundabout hazard marker
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Road Works Ahead
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Grader
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Mower
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Weed sprayer
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Road marking
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On side road
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Shoulder closed
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Surveying
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Wet tar
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Skid testing
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Bridge repairs
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(TW-1B.1.1) Road workers ahead in 1 kilometre
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(TW-1B.2.1) Road workers ahead in 1 kilometre, delays possible
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Road works speed limit ahead - 10 km/h
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Road works speed limit ahead - 20 km/h
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Road works speed limit ahead - 30 km/h
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Road works speed limit ahead - 40 km/h
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Road works speed limit ahead - 50 km/h
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Road works speed limit ahead - 60 km/h
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Road works speed limit ahead - 70 km/h
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Road works speed limit ahead - 80 km/h
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Works end, thank you
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Attention - Other Dangers! (never used alone, a supplementary plate will explain the danger)
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Flooding
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Washout
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Line crew
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Blasting
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Tree Felling
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Trucks Crossing
-
Logging Trucks
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No Road Markings
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Signals Changed
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Signals Not Working
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New Road Layout
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Traffic Survey
-
Cycle Race
-
Runners
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Walkers
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Cyclists ahead
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Runners ahead
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Walkers ahead
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Accident
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Fire
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Funeral
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Film Crew
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Hidden Queue
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Barriers Not Working
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Pedestrians
-
Trains Running
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Falling rocks or debris on left
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Falling rocks or debris on right
-
Slippery road
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Slippery road surface due to ice or grit
-
Slow when wet
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Loose road surface
-
New seal
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Seal repairs
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Watch for large animals (cattle)
-
Watch for large animals (sheep)
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Lane management (two lanes, left lane merges)
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Lane management (two lanes, right lane merges)
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Lane management (three lanes, left lane merges)
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Lane management (three lanes, right lane merges)
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Lane management (three lanes, middle lane merges to the left)
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Lane management (three lanes, middle lane merges to the right)
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Lane management (four lanes, left lane merges)
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Lane management (four lanes, right lane merges)
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Lane management (two lanes shift to the left)
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Lane management (two lanes shift to the right)
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Lane management (three lanes shift to the right)
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Lane management (three lanes shift to the right)
-
Lane management (lane entering from the left)
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Lane management (lane joining traffic from the right)
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Lane management (lane exiting to the left)
-
Exit marker
-
Road narrows on left
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Road narrows on right
-
Road narrows on both sides
-
Road narrows to a single lane
-
Traffic signals ahead
-
Flagman ahead
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Please stop on request (for flagman)
-
Works End
-
Thank You
-
Dry Your Brakes
-
Road closed ahead
-
Exit closed ahead
-
Detour ahead - follow circle symbol
-
Detour ahead - follow diamond symbol
-
Detour ahead - follow square symbol
-
Detour ahead - follow state highway shield
-
State highway detour ahead - follow state highway shield
-
Detour - follow circle symbol (straight ahead, left-hand)
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Detour - follow circle symbol (straight ahead, right-hand)
-
Detour - follow circle symbol (to the left)
-
Detour - follow circle symbol (to the right)
-
Detour - follow circle symbol (veer left)
-
Detour - follow circle symbol (veer right)
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Detour - follow diamond symbol (straight ahead, left-hand)
-
Detour - follow diamond symbol (straight ahead, right-hand)
-
Detour - follow diamond symbol (to the left)
-
Detour - follow diamond symbol (to the right)
-
Detour - follow diamond symbol (veer left)
-
Detour - follow diamond symbol (veer right)
-
Detour - follow square symbol (straight ahead, left-hand)
-
Detour - follow square symbol (straight ahead, right-hand)
-
Detour - follow square symbol (to the left)
-
Detour - follow square symbol (to the right)
-
Detour - follow square symbol (veer left)
-
Detour - follow square symbol (veer right)
-
Detour - follow state highway shield (straight ahead, left-hand)
-
Detour - follow state highway shield (straight ahead, right-hand)
-
Detour - follow state highway shield (to the left)
-
Detour - follow state highway shield (to the right)
-
Detour - follow state highway shield (veer left)
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Detour - follow state highway shield (veer right)
-
Detour Ends
-
Cement Splashes - Wash Car Today
-
Lime Splashes - Wash Car Today
-
Pilot Car. Follow Me
-
Road Works
-
Road Inspection
-
Works site access - 100 metres ahead on left
-
Works site access - 100 metres ahead on right
-
Works site access - 200 metres ahead on left
-
Works site access - 200 metres ahead on right
-
Works site access on left
-
Works site access on right
-
Crossing closed - please use alternative crossing
-
Footpath closed - please use other side
-
Cyclists follow this sign (straight ahead, left-hand)
-
Cyclists follow this sign (straight ahead, right-hand)
-
Cyclists follow this sign (to the left)
-
Cyclists follow this sign (to the right)
-
Cyclists follow this sign (veer left)
-
Cyclists follow this sign (veer right)
-
Pedestrians follow this sign (straight ahead, left-hand)
-
Pedestrians follow this sign (straight ahead, right-hand)
-
Pedestrians follow this sign (to the left)
-
Pedestrians follow this sign (to the right)
-
Pedestrians follow this sign (veer left)
-
Pedestrians follow this sign (veer right)
-
Pass With Care
-
Road diverges (splits)
-
Rough road surface
-
Breakdown warning triangle
-
Emergency
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 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 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 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.