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New Zealand

ANPR for
New Zealand

New Zealand’s License Plate Format

New Zealand introduced vehicle registration plates in 1925 on a nationwide basis, replacing the previous regional system (pre-1925). Registration plates are issued by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (formerly Land Transport New Zealand) and contain up to six alphanumeric characters depending on vehicle type and registration date. The registration number stays with the vehicle, not the owner, and numbers are issued in strict chronological order. Most vehicles require two plates (front and rear), except motorcycles, mopeds, tractors, and trailers which need only one rear plate.

Plate Format

LLLnnn (3 letters + 3 digits, e.g., JTK-123);
Motorcycles/tractors: LnLLL (1 letter + 1 digit + 3 letters, e.g., A2ATL);
Trailers: nLLnn (1 digit + 2 letters + 2 digits, e.g., 1AB12)

Script

Latin alphabet, Arabic numerals

City Codes

Not applicable – nationwide system without geographic coding

Special Plate Types in New Zealand

Diplomatic Corps

Black text on white background, format DC-nnnn (DC + up to 4 digits), for foreign embassy/high commission vehicles in Wellington; DC1 reserved for British High Commissioner (e.g., DC-1234)

Personalized Plates

Black text on white background, up to 6 characters, any unique combination outside standard sequences; “collector plates” (A1, AAAAAA) feature blue text on white (e.g., CUSTOM)

Consular

Black text on white background, format CC-nnnn (CC + up to 4 digits), for foreign consulate vehicles in Auckland and Christchurch (e.g., CC-5678)

Ambassadorial

Black text on white background, format FC-nnnn (FC + up to 4 digits), for foreign ambassadors and family members (e.g., FC-9012)

Mayoral/Ministerial

Black text on white background, format CR-n (CR + digit), CR = Crown; CR1 reserved for Prime Minister (e.g., CR-1)

Governor-General

No plate displayed – only vehicle permitted without plate, displays royal crown; system uses “CROWN” (e.g., CROWN)

Dealer/Trade

Yellow background with black text, format X-nnnn (X + up to 4 digits), temporary plates for car dealers (e.g., X-1234)

Commemorative All Blacks

Black text on white background, format AB-0nnn (AB + leading zero + 3 digits), celebrating national rugby team (e.g., AB-0123)

Black Plates (Since 2022)

Black background with white or silver text, includes ‘NZ’ hologram bottom right, no holographic pattern (e.g., ABC-123)

Banned Combinations: FAG, FKN, FUC, FUK, FUQ, KGB, KKK, KUM, NGA, BO, FA, FO, FU, II, IO, EBA, FNA-FNZ, G(A-H)A, MMM, NWA, PCP, PDW, PFZ, PGF, PGR, PHN, PQW, PSD, PUB – banned to avoid offense; GUN series offered free replacement after 2019 Christchurch shootings but not withdrawn

Key features of the ANPR for New Zealand

Accuracy

97% – 99%

Supported plates

European, South American, Asian and South African, Middle East

Lpr + Container

It can run with Container Recognition support

SDK support

C++ / C# / Java / Python

Image & Stream Based Recognition

Windows x64, Ubuntu, Arm

Analytics

Our LPR application performs vehicle Make, Color, and Type classification.

Android

Supports Android phones and tablets.

Adr Plate

Performs additional ADR plate recognition alongside standard license plate recognition.

License Plate Country Classification.

Germany / Poland / Türkiye… etc.

CPU & GPU

Supports both CPU and GPU processing.

Multiple Plate Recognition

Supports detection and recognition of multiple license plates in a single image or frame

Interested in New Zealand’s License Plate Recognition?

Let us know and discover how our ANPR solution can transform your operations!

Global Coverage

Our ANPR system supports license plate recognition across multiple countries and regions. Each implementation is optimized for local plate formats, scripts, and regulatory requirements to ensure accurate detection in diverse environments.