NZTA adds smaller speed camera trailer to its fleet
Words: Richard Edwards
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is adding a new, smaller mobile safety camera trailer to its fleet, alongside its camera-equipped SUVs and the larger trailers already in service.
Testing of the new trailer has started in Christchurch, and no fines are being issued while that runs. NZTA says it will then go into operation in Otago and Southland.
The agency says the smaller size is the only real change. “The new trailers are smaller, which means they can be parked up roadside in more places than the existing trailers. Otherwise, there’s no change to how we’re detecting speeding, or to the fines we’re issuing.”
Like the rest of the mobile fleet, the trailers can be deployed day or night on any public road, detect vehicles travelling towards or away from the camera on either side of the road, and are not signposted. All the trailers are painted white and carry no branding. The SUVs are also unbranded and come in a mix of colours, makes and models.
NZTA has released photos of the new unit so drivers know what to look for. “Our aim is to reduce the number of people travelling over the speed limit, lessening the likelihood of a crash being serious or fatal. We’re sharing what this new trailer looks like so you know what to expect.”
The first of the larger trailers went into service in September last year, and ten are now in use. Those trailers were vandalised 18 times in their first year, according to figures released under the Official Information Act.
They joined the camera SUVs that NZTA began running in May 2025. Under NZTA’s deployment rules, mobile cameras are not set up within 250 metres of an overtaking lane or a speed limit drop, or within 1km of another camera.
The mobile cameras are operated under contract by Acusensus NZ, with NZTA processing the images and issuing all infringement notices. Fines go into the Government’s Consolidated Fund, and NZTA does not receive any of the money.
NZTA took over the camera network from Police in July 2025. It then ran around 150 cameras and plans to grow that to about 200 by 2027, including fixed, mobile, red light and average speed cameras.
