The National Party wants to change the balance when it comes road safety.

If elected, National would return many state highways to 100 kilometres per hour from 80 and many local roads to 50.

The Kapiti Expressway and Transmission Gully would be bumped up to 110 - as would the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway if it's safe to do that.

Public Service Spokesperson Simeon Brown says speed limits around schools will remain low.

"It makes sense to have a slower speed limit when children are present. We want to see those as variable speed limits- so 30 or 40 kilometres during pick-up or drop-off times."

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