Smaller speed camera trailers roll out across South Island

Smaller mobile safety camera trailers to detect speeding are being rolled out across the South Island.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said today that the “smaller” version of its fleet of camera-equipped SUVs and existing trailers had started its testing phase in Christchurch.

Fines would not be issued during the testing phase, NZTA confirmed.

While there was no indication of when the testing period would end, the safety cameras will next start operating in Otago and Southland.

NZTA said the new trailers are smaller, which means they can be parked up roadside in more places than the existing trailers.

Mobile speeding cameras of any size can already be parked any time and anywhere, on any type of public road across the country throughout the day and night.

The smaller trailers can be parked roadside in more places than existing models. Photo / NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

They can detect speeding both towards and away from the camera on either side of the road.

NZTA said the smaller cameras won’t change how speeding is detected or the fines issued.

“Our aim is to reduce the number of people travelling over the speed limit, lessening the likelihood of a crash being serious or fatal,” it said.

“We’re sharing what this new trailer looks like so you know what to expect.

“Exceeding the speed limit is illegal. If you travel at or below the speed limit you won’t be fined. Expect to be fined if the trailer spots you exceeding the speed limit – you can avoid this by not speeding.”

NZTA also stressed it didn’t directly benefit from any money collected in safety camera fines.

Instead, it said, money from fines went to the Government.

Last year, mobile speed cameras in SUVs generated more than $900,000 in fines in their first four months of operation.

NZTA rolled out the new SUVs in May 2025, which have replaced the fleet of vans police have traditionally used.