Kāpiti trialling licence plate recognition technology to keep parking fair for everyone
9 Mar 2026
As the Kāpiti grows, more people are visiting our busy areas, and time‑limited parking helps keep these spaces turning over so everyone has a fair chance to find a park.
Under the Transport Bylaw, Council monitors these spaces to make sure they remain available for people who need them - whether attending an appointment, picking up kids, visiting a library or supporting local businesses.
To support this work, Council is undertaking a six‑month trial of licence plate recognition technology which is used by several councils across New Zealand, including Lower Hutt, Porirua, and Upper Hutt.
Aero Ranger uses a camera system mounted on parking enforcement vehicles. As the vehicle moves through our restricted parking areas, the camera records licence plates and visible parking signs.
When it returns, the system checks whether any vehicles may have overstayed. Every potential breach is then reviewed by a trained officer before any ticket is issued.
The license plate technology uses simple camera equipment installed on the roof of a Council vehicle with a bracket.
Richard Hopkins, Manager Environmental Standards, says the trial is about helping parking work better for everyone.
“Our town centres work best when people can find a park without too much hassle. This technology is anticipated to make enforcement more efficient and support the steady turnover of spaces,” he says.
“The trial will run for six months. After that, Council will assess its effectiveness, any impacts, privacy protections, and whether the technology supports fair access to parking. This will help determine whether it should be adopted permanently in Kāpiti.”
Privacy and accuracy — your questions answered
The cameras operate within the requirements of the Privacy Act. Any faces that appear in images are automatically blurred before they are shared with drivers who request evidence of an infringement. Images are used only for enforcement and to help Council understand parking demand. Council’s privacy statement is available on our website.
The system flags vehicles that may have overstayed. It is around 95% accurate, and every potential breach is checked by a real person before any ticket is issued.
Yes. Drivers have the right to appeal any infringement and request the supporting images.
All information collected will be securely stored. The Aero Ranger system has ISO 27001 Certification which demonstrates that it operates a formal Information Security Management System (ISMS) with documented technical and organisational controls designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of personal data. The certification is subject to independent surveillance audits and demonstrates adherence to international best practice.