Holidaymakers heading through the North Island's Karangahake Gorge - between Paeroa and Waihi - should prepare to slow down

From today the speed limit on a 600 metre section of State Highway Two between Crown Hill Road and School Road will be temporarily reduced to 50 kilometres an hour.

Waka Kotahi says the short term reduction from 80 kilometres an hour is being put in place to ensure the safety of motorists, walkers and cyclists during the busy summer holiday period.

A formal consultation on speed reductions on the highway from Mangatarata to Katikati, including the gorge, will take place next year.