CCTV Boost in Northland: Business associations collaborate to put more eyes in the sky
Curtis said feedback had shown that offenders often target more than one town, particularly because of the interconnected roads.
Therefore, she said, having a system that worked for all the towns made sense.
The project aims to deliver a comprehensive plan which maps existing infrastructure, identifies gaps and outlines a unified strategy for long-term safety.
Curtis said there are hopes it will improve economic resilience for Mid and Far North businesses.
Over the next three months a gap-analysis project will be undertaken.
The project will consider existing networks and monitoring, assess police ability to access and use information, assess police requirements and consider links to existing security, suppliers and more.
It would also scope the development of a centralised monitoring centre and ask the community for existing and proposed CCTV camera sites to join the network.
'We really hope that by the wider Far and Mid North business associations uniting together, it shows CCTV is something that is important for everyone in the region, not just the businesses,' Curtis said.
The completed analysis would then support their application for the Proceeds of Crime Fund in October.
The government fund was designed to help provide targeted interventions to reduce violent crime.
It distributes assets seized by police for crime-prevention projects countrywide.
Applicants must prove that the initiative aligns with the criteria for reducing violent crime to be eligible for funding.
Far and Mid-North business associations hope their analysis will prove the need for a sustainable approach to CCTV and community safety across the region. Photo / NZME
Northland has benefited from the Proceeds of Crime Fund with new cameras in the Whangārei CBD, Te Kamo and Hikurangi in 2023 estimated to cost $765,000.
At the time, it was hoped that more eyes in the sky would deter would-be criminals.
However, NorthChamber president Tim Robinson at the time said requests for footage from police after reported incidents sometimes went unanswered because of a lack of resources.
Meanwhile in Paihia, a state-of-the-art system was proven worthwhile in 2022, within months after a man accused of robbing a local was arrested thanks to high-quality CCTV footage and police searches.
That system was also covered by the Proceeds of Crime Fund for $120,000.
At the time, a Focus Paihia member called for more co-ordination between the region's public CCTV systems.
Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Scoop
Port Nelson Commissions New Zealand's First Electric Mobile Harbour Crane At Celebratory Event
Press Release – Port Nelson Ltd The $17 million project was supported by $875,000 from the Governments Low Emission Transport Fund, administered by EECA. Port Nelson marked a major milestone in its sustainability and infrastructure journey today with a special event to commission New Zealand's first electric dual-drive mobile harbour crane. The event was attended by Nelson Mayor Nick Smith, Rachel Boyack MP for Nelson, EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) representative Ben Pitt, and iwi representatives, alongside port stakeholders and staff. In a symbolic moment, Mayor Nick Smith officially powered on the new Liebherr LHM600E crane, triggering its first official lift. Port Nelson CEO Matt McDonald says the event is more than just a celebration of a new machine, it's a powerful statement about Port Nelson's direction. 'The project demonstrates our commitment to innovation and leading by example in the transition to low-emission technologies. This crane is an investment in the future of our people, infrastructure, and region, reflecting Port Nelson's ambition to build a more resilient port for generations to come.' The $17 million project was supported by $875,000 from the Government's Low Emission Transport Fund, administered by EECA. 'This project also delivered local economic benefits, with around $2 million invested in the Nelson region through labour, materials, and infrastructure upgrades,' Matt adds. The project is part of a broader electrification strategy, which includes retrofitting an existing diesel crane. The crane is capable of switching between electric and diesel modes, but is expected to operate on electric power up to 85% of the time, significantly reducing carbon emissions. Cranes currently account for around 22% of the Port's Scope 1 emissions. Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says Port Nelson's new electric harbour crane is good for the city's economy and environment. 'Our export-based economy is very dependent on having an efficient port. Nelson leads in sustainability – we have the first full electric bus service, we have one of the highest uptakes of electric cars including my own, which was New Zealand's first. It's good that we are now leading with our port commissioning the first mobile electric crane and converting one of its older diesel cranes to electric.' The crane is just one of several strategic investments Port Nelson has made in the last 18 months. Alongside the electrification programme, the Port opened Honomai, Marlborough's first Inland Port, introduced a new pilot vessel and launched a significant slipway redevelopment project, further enhancing safety, operational resilience, and local economic benefit.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
CCTV Boost in Northland: Business associations collaborate to put more eyes in the sky
'One of the top issues that came up in these conversations was crime and how CCTV is a way to help prevent crime and support community safety.' Curtis said feedback had shown that offenders often target more than one town, particularly because of the interconnected roads. Therefore, she said, having a system that worked for all the towns made sense. The project aims to deliver a comprehensive plan which maps existing infrastructure, identifies gaps and outlines a unified strategy for long-term safety. Curtis said there are hopes it will improve economic resilience for Mid and Far North businesses. Over the next three months a gap-analysis project will be undertaken. The project will consider existing networks and monitoring, assess police ability to access and use information, assess police requirements and consider links to existing security, suppliers and more. It would also scope the development of a centralised monitoring centre and ask the community for existing and proposed CCTV camera sites to join the network. 'We really hope that by the wider Far and Mid North business associations uniting together, it shows CCTV is something that is important for everyone in the region, not just the businesses,' Curtis said. The completed analysis would then support their application for the Proceeds of Crime Fund in October. The government fund was designed to help provide targeted interventions to reduce violent crime. It distributes assets seized by police for crime-prevention projects countrywide. Applicants must prove that the initiative aligns with the criteria for reducing violent crime to be eligible for funding. Far and Mid-North business associations hope their analysis will prove the need for a sustainable approach to CCTV and community safety across the region. Photo / NZME Northland has benefited from the Proceeds of Crime Fund with new cameras in the Whangārei CBD, Te Kamo and Hikurangi in 2023 estimated to cost $765,000. At the time, it was hoped that more eyes in the sky would deter would-be criminals. However, NorthChamber president Tim Robinson at the time said requests for footage from police after reported incidents sometimes went unanswered because of a lack of resources. Meanwhile in Paihia, a state-of-the-art system was proven worthwhile in 2022, within months after a man accused of robbing a local was arrested thanks to high-quality CCTV footage and police searches. That system was also covered by the Proceeds of Crime Fund for $120,000. At the time, a Focus Paihia member called for more co-ordination between the region's public CCTV systems. Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.
Scoop
10-07-2025
- Scoop
Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund Supports 15 More Regional Initiatives
The final round of the Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund has been allocated, with 15 Northland-based projects receiving a combined $230,000 in support. The second round attracted 42 applications seeking over $700,000, highlighting strong demand for early-stage investment in community-led development. A third of the funded projects from the second round are Māori-led. 'The quality and ambition of projects coming through this fund has been very high,' says Vaughan Cooper, Head of Investment and Infrastructure at Northland Inc. 'From community wellbeing, promotion of our districts, and Mātauranga Māori, it's clear that Northlanders are ready to lead the change they want to see.' The Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with support from Transpower and Omexom. It was created to back community and kaupapa-driven projects that contribute to long-term regional resilience. Across two rounds, the fund has now distributed $430,000 to 32 projects throughout the region. Projects funded through the two rounds of allocations are already underway, with initiatives such as Girls Who Grow launching its climate-positive agriculture programme for young women into Taitokerau Northland, and the Kerikeri District Business Association and Bay of Islands Business Association rolling out a groundbreaking project focused on CCTV and community safety in the Mid and Far North. NorthChamber Chief Executive Leah McKerrow, who was part of the fund's decision-making panel, says the calibre of applications highlighted the region's determination and desire to make a difference. 'This fund gives communities the chance to lift up great ideas and turn them into action. The panel was keen to support those ideas that will make a tangible and far reaching impact. It's positive to see the difference this funding is already making on the ground in Te Tai Tokerau.' Transpower's Executive General Manager Customer and External Affairs Raewyn Moss supported this view. 'We are so pleased to see this funding empowering real opportunities for development, community-building and increased resilience across Taitokerau Northland. We look forward to the stories of the impact the funding has and the achievements from the initiatives that were successful in this funding round.'
