Safety camera testing and certification

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

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 testing at any point, 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.

Land Transport Act 1998(external link)

Land Transport (Approved Vehicle Surveillance Equipment) Notice 2023(external link)

Testing and certificates

An independent accredited testing organisation called SGS Australia Pty Limited has people authorised by NZTA to run the following tests and sign certificates.

Certificate of Test of a Speed Measuring Device

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

Once a camera is installed, technicians do a field test by placing 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.

Our camera supplier Redflex Traffic Systems Pty Ltd (trading as Verra Mobility Systems) has people authorised by NZTA to run the following tests and sign certificates. The type of test they run depends on the camera design.

Certificate of Accuracy – Camera Alignment for Static Camera Site

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 Static Camera Site

This test is for a Redflex camera model called an NK7 that’s housed in a separate Redflex camera enclosure called an NK8. Technicians put the camera enclosure in position and check it’s accurately aligned to the road and meets the manufacturer's specifications.