Expect to see more surveillance cameras around Wanaka in coming months - but a new policy providing guidance on CCTV networks’ operation will enable effective and lawful enforcement and ensure a higher level of transparency, the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) says.

Council has owned and managed a network of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in Wanaka, Arrowtown and Queenstown for years but only last week adopted a new policy which defines the council’s intended use of the surveillance cameras and their installation, monitoring and release of camera data.

Wanaka has 13 CCTV cameras, most of which are along Ardmore Street but there are also a few scattered at key locations, such as the skate park and library, and a new cluster has been approved for the marina car park.

Cameras in the town centre support public safety and crime prevention and monitor controlled parking.

The surveillance is used to support crime prevention, support public safety and monitor compliance with regulatory functions, such as lakeside boat ramps, alcohol licensing and parking controls, the policy states. 

Surveillance parameters

Core principles of the council’s new CCTV policy include that it is used for specified and justified purposes only; it complies with the Privacy Act and the privacy commissioner’s principles and guidelines; all camera locations are recorded and a map showing those locations is available online for public viewing.

Under the Privacy Act areas where cameras are installed must be clearly signposted and the signs should be large enough and located in such a way that people should know about the cameras before they are close enough to be filmed.

Authorised council staff are permitted to access and review the footage, which can be downloaded and shared with the police and other agencies.

The New Zealand Police use footage from council operated CCTV systems for crime prevention and, it was reported yesterday by Radio New Zealand, the police are investing $9M in facial recognition software that can identify people from CCTV live feeds.

The surveillance software used by the council includes licence plate recognition and although facial recognition is not currently used, it is ‘technically available”, the council report said.

Wanaka’s CCTV network and enforcement

QLDC spokesperson Jack Barlow said more than half a million dollars has been allocated for CCTV cameras across the district over the past three years and council plans to roll out the installation of more cameras around Wanaka over the next few years.

“Enforcement will begin in the marina and disability spaces in Wanaka in the near future,” he said. “We have received a number of complaints about non-compliance in the marina, while our officers have also experienced some negative behaviour towards them in this location.” 

“CCTV allows QLDC to safely monitor this area for non-compliance and issue an infringement if warranted.”

Jack added that CCTV cameras in Wanaka will also be monitoring loading zones and mobility parks to ensure those spaces are being used appropriately and processes are in place to evaluate the effectiveness of CCTV and to identify and report on any required improvements.

Wanaka resident Barbara East says while the CCTV policy is good to have it suggests council is depending more and more on technology without reviewing the purpose behind surveillance.

“What is the problem they’re trying to resolve? If you have cameras up and they catch lots of people doing the wrong thing then you have to consider is it just a money making exercise? Or perhaps the parking restriction is not suitable or not in the right place?”

“I’d like to see people being prevented...from doing the wrong thing rather than being caught afterwards,” she said. “I’d rather see more education and have more wardens on the street.”

Wanaka has two parking officers contracted to provide enforcement and one QLDC staff member employed as a dog control officer who also assists when required.

The policy also says social media will be used to advise the public when any changes are made to the network, including adding new CCTV cameras or moving existing CCTV cameras. 

Further information about the CCTV cameras and their locations can be found here.

PHOTOS: Wanaka App