The Weigh Right Programme was developed in 2014, with funding approved in 2017. Waka Kotahi builds commercial vehicle safety centres (CVSCs) throughout New Zealand for the NZ Police to operate.
So far, CVSCs at Glasnevin (north Canterbury) and Paengaroa (Bay of Plenty) have been opened, with others in various stages of planning.
Paengaroa CVSC.
There are plans to build 12 CVSCs with advanced roadside technology to weigh heavy vehicles travelling along the highway, pulling in those that are suspected of being non-compliant. Weigh Right is regarded as a way to level the playing field for commercial transport operators and make New Zealand’s roads safer. However, Weigh Right needs to be updated to meet rising costs and evolving requirements of the NZ Police.
In the updated version of Weigh Right, there will be two tiers of CVSCs. Tier one sites will be full-facility sites with a weigh bridge, in-road technology and an inspection shed, roller brake machine, inspection pit and office block. Tier two sites will have a weigh bridge, in-road technology and a simple on-site hut, with the capacity to be upgraded later if required.
Weigh Right Programme information
Splitting CVSCs into two tiers makes best use of police resources. It enables the NZ Police to run joint operations at CVSCs with Waka Kotahi, the NZ Police’s commercial vehicle safety team (CVST) and other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), WorkSafe, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), regional councils, the Ministry of Education and rural health providers. It is a cost-effective solution, arrived at after discussion with NZ Police and industry.
