Barefoot plan for Oscars red carpet
New Zealand’s speed camera network could soon be privately managed as police look to redeploy their resources to other areas.
The network currently includes 19 fixed speed cameras, 43 mobile speed cameras in vans, and three dual purpose red light/speed cameras.
But the number of fixed cameras is to swell to 56 by the end of the year, increasing the workload involved in managing the network and processing infringements.
Police are now reviewing their ownership of the network.
Details of the move were revealed in a briefing from New Zealand Transport Agency chief executive Fergus Gammie to the Minister of Transport, obtained under the Official Information Act.
In it Gammie said both the police and agency had agreed a review was needed for several reasons.
These included the fact that the level of resources required to run the network diverted resources away from other road policing priorities.
‘‘[There is] the need to continuously increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the police’s workforce by ensuring all staff are undertaking the right activities at the right times to address road safety risks.’’
Other reasons for the review included an increase in the use of technology in the network and higher interest from road controlling authorities to own and manage items such as red light cameras.
Both the police and NZTA declined interview requests.
But in a written statement, police national road policing manager Superintendent Steve Greally said transferring the network management to the NZTA or a private/public partnership were both possibilities.
If the latter was chosen, statutory oversight by a government agency would remain a key requirement.
It was also possible the network would continue to be managed by police following the review.
Greally noted that all traffic fines went to the Government’s consolidated fund and not to police.
‘‘The aim of the safety camera system is not to generate fines, but to encourage people to travel at legal safe speeds and therefore reduce speed-related deaths and injuries.
‘‘This would remain the focus of the system regardless of whatever future operating model may be in place.’’
The briefing document noted the review provided an opportunity to explore how the safety network could be integrated into intelligent transport systems, such as those used on the Wellington Smart Motorway and Auckland’s Waterview Tunnel.
NZTA road safety director Harry Wilson said it would simplify matters to have one organisation responsible for both camera enforcement and network management.
Information about traffic flows and speeds, bottlenecks, and crashes could be used to set the operating hours of speed cameras so that they were targeted to risk areas.
The review is expected to be completed by October. There’s every chance Karen Tonks will be barefoot on the Oscars red carpet next week.
The Porirua woman had the dress – two in fact – and the jewellery, but on Thursday, only hours before she left for Los Angeles, she still didn’t have the shoes.
‘‘Fortunately the dresses are long so nobody will see my toes,’’ she laughed.
‘‘It’s a very Kiwi thing to do, maybe I’ll just wear jandals.’’
It’s been a whirlwind for Tonks after her film editor husband, John Gilbert, earned an Oscar nod for the Mel Gibson film Hacksaw Ridge in January.
‘‘John’s going to pull on a suit and look fantastic, that doesn’t seem very fair.’’
While the glitz of the red carpet would be fun, Tonks said the event held a much more important allure for the family.
The awards would form a backdrop for a family reunion with Gilbert’s children from his previous marriage flying in from Shanghai and New York.
His son, Max, had travelled to the Oscars with Gilbert in 2002 when he was nominated for his work on the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Tonks said although it was the second ceremony for her husband it was a whole different experience this time around. ‘‘The first time John was a single father and he didn’t get to enjoy all the celebrations.
‘‘This time he can really have fun at the outings and events.’’
New Zealand designers had flocked to dress her, but Tonks still had to decide between two favourites from Zambesi and Juliette Hogan.
Her family would form a judging panel when they gathered in Los Angeles. ‘‘I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings, but it’s a great chance to get their work seen on the red carpet.’’
‘‘Mind you, I’m not an A-lister so it will be more of ‘‘oh my God, look at what what nobody’s wearing.’’
The dress that didn’t make the cut for the Oscars would be worn to one of the many parties in the lead-up to the big event. ‘‘It’s funny but by this time next week I’ll be back in my jeans picking the kids up for school.’’
The 89th Academy Awards will be held on Monday (NZ time).