New Zealand Shifts Speed Camera Enforcement to Transport Agency, Deploying Unmarked SUVs
New Zealand has undergone a significant change in its road safety strategy, transferring responsibility for speed camera operation from the police to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). The agency is rolling out a fleet of unmarked SUVs equipped with speed detection technology, beginning in Auckland in May and becoming the sole operator of the equipment this month.
Transition of Authority & Police Role
The move marks the end of police-operated speed camera vans. However, authorities emphasize that overall speed enforcement will not diminish. According to a road policing inspector, Peter McKennie, “We have not reduced our speed enforcement efforts with NZTA now taking over full responsibility of speed cameras.” Police will continue utilizing their own vehicles equipped with radar, laser, and pace-checking technology, some capable of detecting speeds from distances exceeding one kilometer.
NZTA Camera Technology & Deployment
The NZTA’s mobile camera systems utilize the Acusensus Harmony camera, approved under the Land Transport Act in April. A recent Official Information Act request revealed the radar range of these cameras extends up to 300 meters, with a typical detection range of 150 meters. The systems employ continuous radar transmission paired with high-definition still image capture, but notably do not utilize high-definition video or automatic number plate recognition.
The agency’s approach prioritizes visibility. A spokesperson stated that while the SUVs and forthcoming trailers will not be signposted, they “will be visible to drivers and will not be hidden.” By the end of the rollout, NZTA plans to operate 44 mobile cameras nationwide, with 35 deployed at any given time.
Focus on High-Risk Areas & Road Safety
The deployment strategy is data-driven, focusing on locations with a demonstrated risk of serious or fatal crashes. According to Tara Macmillan, head of regulatory strategic programmes at NZTA, “Mobile cameras will be used in places where there is a risk of people being killed or seriously injured in a crash.” She further emphasized the life-saving potential of the initiative, stating, “Evidence shows that we can reduce the chance of people being killed or seriously injured in crashes if drivers travel within speed limits, and that is why we have safety cameras.”
The shift to NZTA oversight and the deployment of mobile speed cameras represent a concerted effort to enhance road safety across New Zealand, leveraging technology and data to target areas of highest risk and ultimately reduce preventable harm.
