Joseph Nathan, the paper.co.nz staff writer
New Zealand drivers with unpaid court fines or reparation orders could soon find their cars clamped or towed under a new Government crackdown.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced a nationwide trial giving bailiffs handheld scanners to detect vehicles linked to overdue debts. The devices read number plates in public carparks and at roadside checkpoints, instantly flagging offenders on the Ministry of Justice database.
“If you haven’t paid your court fines, you may soon find yourself walking home or needing a lift,” Goldsmith warned.
The operation began this week and will run at locations across the country. Bailiffs will also join police at breath‑testing checkpoints, where drivers may have to pay fines on the spot using portable EFTPOS machines or agree to a repayment plan to avoid losing their vehicle.
Goldsmith said victims must not be left out of pocket. “Those who have suffered property loss or emotional harm deserve to be paid what they are owed,” he said.
The Government says the scheme builds on the proven effectiveness of clamping but is refusing to reveal how much debt triggers enforcement, where the scanners will be used first, or the cost of the trial.
New Zealanders currently owe more than $100 million in outstanding court fines and reparations. The trial’s success will decide whether plate‑scanning becomes a permanent enforcement tool.
The Paper 