Photo: Unsplash/ Johny Goh
Community-owned high-tech cameras were used to catch suspects in two killings, but the volunteer group involved can not afford to keep running the crime fighting kit.
Cameras that link to automated number plate recognition software run by private companies are spreading throughout the country.
Police are increasingly accessing the systems - more than half a million times a year - to identify plates from street or carpark footage that is hours, weeks or months old.
But police told RNZ there were no plans to cover costs of these cameras for councils or businesses.
Hisbiscus Coast is looking at more than doubling its cameras to up to 20 after multiple crimes, and Turangi is asking locals if they want to pay for a system.
Other councils are accessing more than $2 million in government funding for ANPR or straight CCTV cameras.
Featherston Community Patrol put four cameras in a year ago on the four main approaches to the south Wairarapa town.
Police wrote to Patrol secretary Vicky Alexander in June, praising the quick payback.
"Within seven days of operation, these cameras
Continue Reading on RNZ
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.