50 Victoria Street
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
New Zealand
T 64 4 894 5400
F 64 4 894 6100
www.nzta.govt.nz
8 September 2022
Tim Rowlands
[FYI request #20237 email]
REF: OIA-10773
Dear Tim
Request made under the Official Information Act 1982
Thank you for your email
of 16 August 2022 requesting the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
I would like to request the location of the "secret" mobile phone detection cameras. I do not
believe that you have grounds to withhold this under section 6(c) as you have publicly stated that
the cameras wil not be used to issue infringement notices.
I would also like to know the make & model of the cameras that are being used and who is
supplying them.
The cameras used in this trial are supplied by an Australian company named Acusensus. The specific
camera system used for this trial is known as the Acusensus Heads Up Solution.
I am continuing to withhold the location of the safety cameras under section 6(c) of the Act, as
releasing the information wil prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the prevention, and
detection of offences.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is trial ing the safety cameras to get a better understanding of how
many people drive while using their mobile phones and don’t wear their seatbelts, both of which are
offences. The trial wil be used to develop a strategy to reduce this offending in the future.
The locations have not been publicly disclosed in order to ensure that people don’t alter their
behaviour in the immediate vicinity of the cameras. This would affect the accuracy of the trial results
and prejudice the ability of Waka Kotahi to implement a strategy to prevent or reduce this offending in
the future.
A prevention strategy could include a number of elements including education and generating media
coverage on the scope and risks of this behaviour. The trial has already generated media coverage
and provided the opportunity to educate the public on the risks of this behaviour.
Under section 28 of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision to
continue to withhold part of the information requested. The contact details for the Ombudsman can be
located at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
If you would like to discuss this reply with Waka Kotahi, please contact our Ministerial Services team
by email to [NZTA request email].
Yours sincerely
Fabian Marsh
Senior Manager Road Safety
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