Wellington’s streets are slowing down, but at what cost? One Network Wellington Live has uncovered a hard-hitting truth. Speed bumps and drastic speed reductions are causing chaos. Worse, they’re putting lives at risk. Today, we bring you a story that demands attention. It’s about a city council failing its people. It’s about ambulances stuck in traffic. And it’s about a man, Ian Harrison, who exposed a massive blunder. This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about real people dying because of decisions made behind closed doors.

Let’s start with the bombshell. Wellington Free Ambulance has sounded the alarm. They can’t meet their key performance indicator anymore. That’s the nine-minute average response time to save lives. Speed limits slashed to 30 km/h and speed bumps popping up everywhere are to blame. Ambulances are crawling through the city. Instead of fixing this, Wellington City Council has a shocking plan. They want to stretch the target to 13 minutes. That’s four extra minutes. In that time, experts estimate 17 people could die. Seventeen lives lost because of delays. It’s a disgraceful move. Rather than admit failure, the council is dodging the problem.

Now, let’s dig deeper. Speed reductions began with good intentions. The council aimed to make streets safer. They pointed to crash data and promised fewer injuries. In 2023, they pushed a plan to drop 80% of Wellington’s roads to 30 km/h. Mayor Tory Whanau backed it strongly. She said it might add a few minutes to journeys but could save lives. Many agreed at first. After all, who doesn’t want safer roads? However, cracks soon appeared. The numbers didn’t add up. And that’s where Ian Harrison comes in.

We met Ian at his home library. He’s a Wellington local with a sharp mind. He didn’t trust the council’s claims. So, he started digging into their data. What he found was staggering. The council’s analysis was flawed. They claimed speed cuts would bring huge social benefits. Reduced crashes would save millions, they said. But Ian spotted a mistake. The figures were inflated. Benefits were overstated by over $250 million. He couldn’t tell if it was deliberate or just sloppy work. Either way, it was a mess. The council had to scrap the plan and start over.

Ian relaxed as we spoke. He leaned against a bookshelf, surrounded by papers. “It just didn’t make sense,” he told us. “The numbers didn’t stick together.” He checked the methodology himself. Logically, it fell apart. When the speed limits dropped, he saw the real impact. Buses slowed down. Timetables went out the window. Travel times ballooned. “Thirty across the board is silly,” he said firmly. Some roads need 50 km/h. Others could handle 40 km/h. But a blanket 30 km/h? That’s nonsense, he argued. It’s not just inconvenient. It’s costing the city dearly.

Then, there’s the ambulance crisis. Wellington Free Ambulance relies on speed to save lives. Every second counts in an emergency. Yet, speed bumps and low limits are choking their efforts. Roads once clear at 50 km/h are now clogged. Paramedics can’t weave through traffic fast enough. The council’s response is shameful. Extending the target to 13 minutes isn’t a solution. It’s an admission of defeat. They’re saying, “We can’t fix this, so we’ll just accept more deaths.” It’s outrageous. Families will suffer because of this cowardice.

But that’s not all. Cycle lanes are adding fuel to the fire. New data shows they’re a nightmare to maintain. They cost ten times more than regular roads. Wellington’s budget is already stretched thin. Ratepayers are footing the bill for this experiment. Meanwhile, good old car lanes are neglected. Crumbling roads slow traffic even more. Ambulances hit potholes and speed bumps alike. Every jolt delays them further. The council keeps pouring cash into cycle lanes. Yet, fewer people use them than expected. It’s a costly distraction from real problems.

Let’s talk about Tory Whanau. She’s the mayor leading this charge. Recently, she’s fought to keep speed limits low. She’s clashing with central government over reversals. They want some roads back at 50 km/h. Tory says no. She claims higher speeds mean more accidents. Ian isn’t convinced. He sees her as a “local Donald Trump.” Not in policy, but in style. “She seems plausible and pleasant,” he said. “But her analysis is a scramble.” He thinks she’s lost in ideology. Numbers don’t back her up. Instead, they show a net social cost. Slower streets aren’t saving Wellington. They’re strangling it.

So, what’s the impact? Businesses are hurting. Delivery trucks crawl along. Workers waste hours in traffic. Public transport is a mess. Buses can’t stick to schedules. Commuters are frustrated. Meanwhile, emergency services falter. The human toll is rising. Those 17 potential deaths aren’t just statistics. They’re mothers, fathers, children. People who might survive if help arrived faster. Wellington deserves better than this. The council should be ashamed. They’ve prioritised optics over lives.

Ian’s findings forced a rethink. In 2023, the council halted public consultation. They admitted the error. But the damage was done. Speed limits stayed low in many areas. Speed bumps kept multiplying. Now, in April 2025, the consequences are clear. Ambulances can’t cope. The city grinds to a halt. Ian shakes his head at it all. “It’s a variety of reasons,” he said. “Social costs outweigh benefits.” He’s not alone in his frustration. Residents are fed up. They want practical solutions, not blanket rules.

What about alternatives? Ian suggests flexibility. Some roads can handle 50 km/h safely. Others might need 40 km/h. Tailor the limits to the street, he says. Scrap unnecessary speed bumps. Fix the roads instead. Prioritise emergency access. It’s common sense. Yet, the council clings to its 30 km/h dream. They ignore the chaos unfolding. Tory Whanau doubles down. She’s exploring ways to resist higher speeds. Meanwhile, cycle lanes eat up funds. Maintenance costs spiral. The city’s arteries are clogged.

Let’s zoom out. Wellington isn’t just a local story. It’s a warning. Speed reductions sound noble. Safety is a great slogan. But without solid data, they backfire. Ian proved that. The council’s mistake wasn’t just a typo. It was a failure of duty. They sold a faulty plan to the public. Now, people pay the price. Ambulances lag. Lives slip away. Businesses stall. All for a vision that doesn’t work. Other cities should take note. Blindly slashing speeds can kill.

Back at Ian’s library, we wrapped up. He smiled faintly. “I’m writing a bit now,” he said. “Climate change, managed retreat—same nonsense.” He sees patterns. Bad data leads to bad choices. Wellington’s speed saga is one example. He spends time at the beach these days. It’s quieter there. No speed bumps or cycle lanes. Just waves and books. But he still cares about his city. That’s why he spoke out.

So, where do we go from here? Wellington City Council must act. Reverse the blanket 30 km/h rule. Remove excess speed bumps. Fund road repairs, not just cycle lanes. Listen to the ambulance service. Nine minutes should stay the target. Lives depend on it. Tory Whanau needs to face reality. Ideology won’t fix this. Hard facts will. Ian Harrison showed the way. His digging exposed the truth. Now, it’s time for change.

One Network Wellington Live stands with the people. We’re calling out this scandal. Speed bumps and reductions aren’t saving Wellington. They’re killing it. The council must wake up. Residents deserve streets that work. Ambulances need clear paths. Seventeen deaths in four minutes is too high a price. Shame on you, Wellington Council. Fix this now.