NZ's fleet of mobile speed camera trailers have been vandalised 18 times since they first hit the roads almost a year ago.
Several units were graffitied, others were damaged, and one had a tyre slashed.
The trailers, equipped with a speed camera and able to be placed anywhere, were first rolled out in September 2025 as part of an effort to reduce crashes. Technology company Acusensus owns and operates the mobile speed cameras.
Their rollout was accompanied by reports of vandalism. NZTA has now confirmed, with figures released under the Official Information Act, that the trailers were defaced a total of 18 times between the scheme's start and August 18.
Trailers were graffitied 11 times and tampered with or damaged six times. In one instance, a trailer was spray-painted and had a tyre slashed.
None of the 10 trailers had been damaged beyond repair. None were decommissioned or needed replacement.
The region with the most recorded incidents was Manawatū-Whanganui with six, followed by Waikato with four. Canterbury and Bay of Plenty recorded three each, while Southland and Auckland each had one.
No incidents had been reported since August 9.
NZTA senior manager for safety cameras Janene Moodie said the vandalism was "extremely disappointing", creating unnecessary costs and putting road users at risk.
"The risk of death and serious injury is reduced if people drive to the speed limit."
Vandalism incidents were reported to police by Acusensus.
Trailers are equipped with security and tracking systems, including CCTV cameras and alarm systems. NZTA monitored them 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
NZTA did not share the cost of the damaged trailers, as responsibility lies with Acusensus. The existing contract budget covers repair costs.
Alongside the trailers, NZTA has also utilised SUVs equipped with speed cameras – which operate in a similar way.
In April, 1News revealed that more than 73,000 Kiwi motorists were snapped by mobile speed camera trailer units in their first six months on the roads, with the total value of fines issued exceeding $4.65 million.
NZTA does not receive any funds from tickets, as revenue from infringement fees goes into the Government’s Consolidated Fund.
NZTA chooses camera locations based on both crash data and community input.
NZTA head of driving regulation Chris Rodley previously said the purpose of safety cameras was to deter unsafe speeds.
"Evidence from New Zealand and around the world shows that safety cameras are an effective tool to reduce speeding, making crashes less likely to occur, and ensure that if crashes do happen, the people involved are far more likely to walk away unharmed."
He said they were designed to create a general deterrent, discouraging drivers from speeding anywhere and at any time.
"Mobile safety cameras reduce deaths and serious injuries when they discourage speeding everywhere. This is known as 'general deterrence' and this is why mobile cameras are deployed nationwide 'anytime, anywhere'," he said.
The cameras have a range of 300 metres and are not signposted. They can detect speeding vehicles travelling both towards and away from them.
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