Speed Camera Fines in New Zealand: Complete 2026 Guide

Caught by a speed camera? Here's everything you need to know about speeding fines in New Zealand, from the fee schedule and payment process through to what happens if you ignore a notice entirely.

Speed Camera Fine Amounts#

Fines depend on how much you exceeded the posted speed limit. The following table shows the current infringement fee schedule for camera-detected speeding offences:

Speed Over Limit	Fine
1-10 km/h	$30
11-15 km/h	$80
16-20 km/h	$120
21-25 km/h	$170
26-30 km/h	$230
31-35 km/h	$300
36-40 km/h	$400
41-45 km/h	$510
46-50 km/h	$630
Over 50 km/h	Court

Important: Speeding by more than 40 km/h can result in a 28-day licence suspension. Going more than 50 km/h over the limit moves beyond the infringement system entirely and may result in dangerous or reckless driving charges heard in court.

Fine amounts sourced from NZTA Safety Camera Notices and Penalties

Camera vs Officer-Issued Fines#

Speed camera fines don't carry demerit points. That's a key distinction from officer-issued tickets.

If you're stopped by a police officer (rather than caught by a camera), demerit points apply on top of the same fine amounts:

Speed Over Limit	Demerit Points
Up to 10 km/h	10
10-20 km/h	20
20-30 km/h	35
30-35 km/h	40
Over 35 km/h	50

New Zealand uses a cumulative demerit point system. Accumulating 100 points within two years results in a three-month licence suspension. NZTA sends a warning letter at 50 points. Points remain on your record for two years from the date of the offence.

Because camera fines carry no demerit points, there's no risk of licence suspension through the demerit system from camera-detected offences alone. And the mandatory 28-day licence suspension for exceeding the limit by more than 40 km/h? That applies only to officer-detected offences, not camera-detected ones.

Demerit point values sourced from NZTA Demerit Points

Infringement Notices vs Court Summons#

These are two fundamentally different legal processes, and the difference matters.

An infringement notice is issued for offences up to 50 km/h over the speed limit. It's a fixed-penalty notice with no court appearance required. You simply pay the fine or dispute it within 28 days. There's no criminal conviction and no court record.

A court summons applies when you're caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h. At this level, you may be charged with dangerous or reckless driving under the Land Transport Act 1998. If convicted, you face a fine of up to $4,500 or imprisonment for up to three months, and your licence will be disqualified for a minimum of six months. If the offending causes injury, penalties escalate to up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $20,000, and a minimum one-year licence disqualification.

A conviction at this level will appear on your criminal record.

How the Infringement Notice Process Works#

Since NZTA Took Over (July 2025)#

From 1 July 2025, Waka Kotahi NZTA assumed responsibility for the entire safety camera network, replacing NZ Police as the camera operator. Police officers continue to issue tickets for offences they detect directly, but all camera-based infringement notices now come from NZTA.

Here's how the end-to-end process works:

1. Camera captures the offence: The camera records your vehicle exceeding the speed limit, capturing photographic or video evidence along with speed data, a timestamp, and your number plate.
2. Evidence is reviewed: NZTA reviews every camera capture before issuing a notice. They verify image clarity, confirm the speed reading, and identify the registered vehicle owner through the Motor Vehicle Register.
3. Notice is issued: The infringement notice is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. NZTA now issues notices digitally where possible, including via email. You can also view and pay notices through the NZTA safety camera payment portal.
4. 28-day payment window: You have 28 days from the date of the offence shown on the notice to pay, request a hearing, or nominate the actual driver.

In NZTA's first two months of operation (July-August 2025), the agency issued 79,364 infringement notices with a total value of $4.78 million. By the end of August, $1.7 million of that had been collected.

How Many Notices Are Issued?#

Speed camera enforcement in New Zealand generates a large volume of infringement notices. In 2024, the camera network (then operated by Police) flagged around 137,000 offences from 208 million vehicle assessments, resulting in approximately 114,000 fines worth $137 million in revenue. Police officers separately issued 461,000 speeding fines in 2024, rising to 538,000 in 2025.

Time Limits on Issuing Notices#

Under the Summary Proceedings Act 1957, an infringement notice must be issued, and any court filing of a reminder notice must occur, within six months of the date the offence is alleged to have been committed. If the agency fails to complete the process within this window, the infringement can't be enforced through the courts. In practice, most camera-detected notices arrive within two to four weeks of the offence.

What Happens If You Don't Pay#

Ignoring a speeding fine in New Zealand is a bad idea. Here's how things escalate:

1. Reminder notice (after 28 days): If you don't pay or respond to the original notice within 28 days, a reminder notice is sent. You get another 28 days to pay, request a hearing, or submit a written explanation.
2. Collection agency referral: If you still take no action, your unpaid fine may be referred to a collection agency (such as Baycorp), which will contact you to arrange payment, including instalment options.
3. Court filing: If the fine remains unpaid, it's filed with the District Court and becomes a court fine managed by the Ministry of Justice. A $30.67 court lodgement fee is added to the original fine. You're given another 28 days to pay. If you still don't pay, an additional $102.22 enforcement fee is added.
4. Driver licence suspension: The Ministry of Justice can issue a driver licence stop order. You receive a 14-day warning, and if you don't pay or arrange a repayment plan, your licence is suspended. Driving on a suspended licence results in your vehicle being impounded for 28 days, and you face prosecution with potential further fines, disqualification, or imprisonment.
5. Asset seizure and arrest warrant: If the court can't resolve the matter through other means, a warrant for your arrest may be issued. Bailiffs can visit your address to seize possessions, and Police can clamp or seize your vehicle. You may also be stopped at the airport and prevented from leaving the country until fines are paid.
6. Credit impact: Unpaid and overdue fines appear on your credit report, affecting your ability to obtain credit, loans, hire purchase, or buy-now-pay-later services.

The bottom line: a $30 speeding fine can balloon to hundreds of dollars in added fees, loss of your licence, vehicle impoundment, or even arrest. I've seen people let small fines spiral into licence suspensions. Don't be that person.

Worked Examples: The True Cost of Speeding#

Example 1: Minor infringement, paid on time#

You're photographed doing 108 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. The fine is $30. You pay online within 28 days. Total cost: $30.

Example 2: Moderate infringement, ignored#

You're caught doing 125 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. The initial fine is $170. You ignore the notice and the reminder. The matter is filed in court: $170 + $30.67 lodgement fee + $102.22 enforcement fee = $302.89. Your licence may also be suspended, and if you're caught driving on a suspended licence, your car is impounded for 28 days.

Example 3: Rental car#

You're driving a rental car at 115 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. The infringement notice ($80) is sent to the rental company. The rental company charges the fine to your credit card along with an administration fee, which typically ranges from $30 to $50 depending on the company. Total cost: approximately $110-$130.

Rental Car Fines#

If you're driving a rental vehicle when caught by a speed camera, the infringement notice is sent to the rental company as the registered owner. The rental company will then:

• Pass the fine on to you by charging your credit card on file
• Add an administration fee on top of the fine amount (this varies by company but is typically $30 to $50)
• In some cases, charge credit card processing fees as well

All rental companies in New Zealand do this, and the administration fee is typically disclosed in the rental agreement. Tourists should be aware that these charges can appear on their credit card weeks or months after returning home.

NZTA publishes guidance for rental vehicle operators on its website, and rental companies have systems to identify which renter was driving the vehicle at the time of the offence based on rental period records.

Corporate Liability: Company Vehicles#

When a company-owned vehicle is caught by a speed camera, the infringement notice is sent to the registered owner (the company). The company then has two options:

1. Pay the fine: The company pays the infringement fee. No demerit points are involved (camera fines never carry demerit points).
2. Transfer liability: The company can transfer liability to the person who was driving at the time by completing a statutory declaration. It must be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace, solicitor, or court registrar, and submitted to NZTA (or Police, for officer-issued fines).

Beyond direct fines, companies operating vehicle fleets have broader obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA). Companies that pressure employees to drive unsafely or fail to maintain vehicles can face WorkSafe prosecution, civil claims, and large fines if their drivers are involved in crashes.

How NZ Fines Compare Internationally#

New Zealand's speeding fines are much lower than those in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Australia#

Australian speeding fines are set by each state and territory, and are substantially higher than New Zealand's:

• New South Wales: $137 for under 10 km/h over, plus 1 demerit point. Fines reach $2,520 for exceeding by more than 45 km/h.
• Victoria: $254 for under 10 km/h over, plus 1 demerit point. Speeds more than 25 km/h over the limit attract fines between $560 and $1,018, a licence suspension of 3 to 12 months, and potential vehicle impoundment.
• Queensland: $287 for under 11 km/h over, plus 1 demerit point.

For context, a driver caught doing 108 km/h in a 100 km/h zone would pay $30 in New Zealand, $137 in NSW, $254 in Victoria, or $287 in Queensland. At every level of the fine schedule, Australian penalties are roughly three to ten times higher than New Zealand's.

And here's the big one: all Australian states impose demerit points for camera-detected offences, unlike New Zealand where camera fines carry no demerit points.

United Kingdom#

The UK uses an income-based fine system with three penalty bands:

• Band A (up to 10 mph over): 25-75% of weekly income, starting at 50%, plus 3 penalty points
• Band B (11-20 mph over): 75-125% of weekly income, starting at 100%, plus 4-6 penalty points
• Band C (21+ mph over): 125-175% of weekly income, plus 6 penalty points or disqualification

The minimum fine is £100 (approximately NZ$220), and the maximum is £1,000 (£2,500 on motorways). Accumulating 12 penalty points within three years results in disqualification. The UK also operates over 8,000 speed camera locations, compared to New Zealand's approximately 200.

New Zealand's system is comparatively lenient: lower fines, no demerit points for camera offences, and no income-based scaling.

Disputing a Fine#

If you believe the fine is incorrect, you have the right to dispute it:

1. You can request a court hearing within 28 days of receiving the notice
2. You'll need to explain why you dispute the fine
3. Evidence from cameras is typically very clear and difficult to challenge on technical grounds

Valid Dispute Reasons#

• The vehicle was stolen at the time of the offence
• Someone else was driving (you must identify them via statutory declaration)
• A technical error occurred with the camera (rare, but it does happen. In May 2025, NZTA reversed $50,000 worth of fines after a camera error was identified)
• The posted speed limit was incorrect or unclear (in March 2026, NZTA reversed hundreds of fines due to speed limit signage confusion)

You can submit a dispute through the NZTA safety camera portal or by contacting NZTA directly using the details on your notice.

Stricter Tolerance for New Cameras#

The new average speed cameras being rolled out in 2026 are expected to operate with tighter enforcement tolerances than those historically applied to spot speed cameras. NZTA hasn't publicly disclosed the exact threshold. For more details, see our speed camera tolerance guide.

Prevention is Best#

The best approach is avoiding fines altogether:

1. Know the speed limits on your route
2. Use our camera map to stay aware of camera locations
3. Leave plenty of travel time so you're not tempted to speed
4. Drive to conditions, not just the posted limit

Find Camera Locations#

View all cameras on our interactive map to stay informed.

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This content has been fact-checked against official sources but may contain inaccuracies. This is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For current fine amounts and legal requirements, consult NZTA Safety Camera Notices and NZ Police.

Sources#

• NZTA Safety Camera Notices and Penalties
• NZTA Demerit Points
• NZ Police - What Are the Fines for Speeding?
• Community Law - Infringement Offences
• Ministry of Justice - What Happens If You Don't Pay Your Fines
• Community Law - How Unpaid Fines Are Enforced
• 1News - How Many Drivers Have Been Snapped Since NZTA Took Over Speed Cameras?
• Summary Proceedings Act 1957, Section 21
• MYNRMA - Speeding Fines by Australian State
• GOV.UK - Speeding Penalties
• NZ Police - Transfer Liability