ACT proposes noise cameras to target loud vehicles
Saturday 26 September 2026 · 4 outlets · 6 reports · updated In this story ACT Party, David Seymour
The ACT Party has unveiled a policy to deploy relocatable noise cameras to identify vehicles causing excessive noise in residential communities. The plan includes introducing a new roadside noise limit and tougher penalties for drivers. The party intends to initially roll out the cameras in the Tāmaki electorate.
Key facts
3 facts
- ACT proposes a fleet of relocatable noise cameras
- Policy announced at Mission Bay, Auckland
- Cameras would use video, microphones, and number plate recognition
The full story
1 min read · 4 outlets
The ACT Party has unveiled an election policy to deploy a fleet of relocatable noise cameras to target excessively noisy vehicles. The announcement was made by party leader David Seymour and Tāmaki candidate James Christmas at Mission Bay in Auckland.
The proposed cameras would combine video, number plate recognition, and microphones to record vehicles that exceed a new roadside noise limit. This would allow evidence to be collected without a police officer being present.
If elected, ACT intends to increase penalties for excessive noise, ensuring that noise from internal equipment is treated the same as engine or exhaust noise. The party also proposes establishing an objective and enforceable noise standard for the cameras to measure.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins remarked that while people are tired of boy racers, ACT's timing for the policy announcement appeared transparent.
How it developed
- Sat 26 Sep, 5:21pmThe party aims to spend $2 million on 20 relocatable cameras, initially in Tāmaki, and proposes specific decibel limits and increased fines.
Where reports differ
- One report specifies the proposed decibel limits as 86 decibels for roads with speed limits of 50 km/h or less and 90 decibels for roads between 50-70 km/h, while others do not provide these specific figures.
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, 1News, Stuff and RNZ.
