Safety camera testing and certification

Safety cameras in New Zealand go through rigorous testing before we use them on our roads.

How we test and certify safety cameras

Once in use, we have safety cameras checked at least every 12 months to make sure the equipment is accurate and certified.

We contract other organisations to run the tests and sign certificates.

If a camera fails these tests, we either adjust it until it meets the required standards and passes, or we return it to the manufacturer. A new camera goes through the same testing process.

Section 146 of the Land Transport Act 1998 sets out the requirements for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to provide evidence of testing and accuracy of speed measuring devices. The Land Transport (Approved Vehicle Surveillance Equipment) Notice 2023 details the camera systems we can use.

Certificate	Safety camera type	Description
Certificate of Test of a Speed Measuring Device	Spot speed Mobile Average speed	In a laboratory, technicians use software to check the camera’s radar is measuring speeds accurately, and they make sure the radar transmitting frequency meets the manufacturer's specifications.
Certificate of Test of Approved Vehicle Surveillance Equipment	Spot speed	Once a camera is installed, technicians do a field test by using a specialist speed testing device in the safety camera area and driving a vehicle through the area. They compare the speed the device detects with the speed the camera detects to make sure the camera is accurate.
	Average speed	Once cameras are installed, technicians do a field test by using a specialist speed testing device in the safety camera area and driving a vehicle between the cameras. They compare the average speed the device calculates with the average speed the camera system calculates to make sure it is accurate.
	Mobile	Technicians do an annual field test of the mobile safety camera installed in its car or trailer at the roadside. A specialist calibrated speed testing device is used to compare the speed of approaching vehicles detected by the device with the speed the mobile safety camera detects.
Certificate of Accuracy – Camera Alignment for Camera Site	Spot speed Red light Average speed	This test is for camera models where the camera and radar are in the same enclosure. Technicians put the camera in position and check it’s accurately aligned to the road and meets the manufacturer’s specifications.
Certificate of Accuracy – Redflex NK8 Camera Enclosure Alignment for Camera Site	Spot speed Red light	This test is for a Redflex camera model called an NK7 that’s housed in a separate NK8 enclosure. Technicians put the camera enclosure in position and check it’s accurately aligned to the road and meets the manufacturer's specifications.
Certificate of Accuracy – Redflex Over The Lane (OTL) Camera Enclosure Alignment for Static Camera Site	Spot speed	This is a test for Redflex cameras which are installed over the lane they're enforcing. Technicians put the camera enclosure in position and check it's aligned accurately to the lane and that it meets the manufacturer's specifications.
Certificate of Accuracy – Redflex red-radar NK7 red light/speed camera system for Static Red Light Camera Site	Red light	Technicians ensure the camera is accurately detecting both traffic light phasing and when a vehicle travels over the detection line after the light has turned red.

Online services

How we test and certify safety cameras

Testing and certificates

Certification vendors

Average speed camera certificates

Auckland

Spot speed camera certificates

Northland

Auckland

Waikato

Bay of Plenty

Taranaki

Manawatū-Whanganui

Wellington

South Island

Red light camera certificates

Auckland

Christchurch

Mobile safety camera certificates

Archived safety camera certificates