Last month, the council voted in favour of funding signs to remind motorists to slow down at peak school times and last week the signs were put up.
The long-running saga came to a head again recently after a school project led to the issue being highlighted on TVNZ's Fair Go programme.
Pōhutukawa class teacher Bridie Holland set a task for her pupils before making persuasive speeches.
''They were preparing by writing persuasive letters,'' says Brendan. ''They had to find an issue they were passionate about and look at how to go about writing a letter that could make change.''
Letters about the speed of vehicles outside the school were sent to local MP Todd McClay, the district council and Fair Go about the speed outside the school. Fair Go visited the school to put an item together for the show - something Brendan says was ''probably one of the major instigators of change".
''I don't want to be cynical, but when things are exposed and when common sense is not prevailing it does move people and shift things, particularly when there has been bureaucracy and red tape holding up common sense.''
Brendan says traffic on the road has increased since it became fully tar sealed right through to the Tauranga Direct road in 2014.
''It's become a more viable link to Rotorua and for most people, particularly if they are going to the Ngongotahā side, coming from Pāpāmoa, Te Matai Rd has become the road of choice.''
The signs apply ''when children are present''.
''During the weekend when there's no-one here, it makes sense not to have to slow down to that speed - we don't want to impede motorists.''
While there has been frustration about the time taken, Brendan understands the reasons for that.
''We know there are instruments of government they have to abide by and there's sub committees and all sorts of feedback they had to get, but once we were on TV, I really appreciated that I had a number of councillors visiting and lobbying to support us, particularly in their busy campaigning season.''
He says it would seem sensible to have a blanket speed limit outside schools in the same way there is a speed limit for vehicles passing stationary school buses.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council's acting group manager, infrastructure services, Blaise Williams says the council thanks Te Ranga School for the professional manner in which the principal has helped achieve the outcome.
''These signs aim to heighten awareness of the need for motorists to be more careful on Te Matai Rd as they approach the school.
''It is now up to motorists driving through the Te Ranga School zone to acknowledge the advance warnings and reduce their speed.''
