Cameras likely for cabbies after murder

This 6m by 3m billboard in Fort St is asking for information about a man police are seeking and a bag and cap found near the murder scene.

Cabbies could be forced to install security cameras in a month as the Government reacts to the slaying of taxi driver Hiren Mohini.

Passengers will absorb the cost, but this should only amount to about 30c extra on the flagfall, according to the NZ Taxi Federation.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce and Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson yesterday met representatives from the federation, taxi companies and others in the industry to debate the options for improving safety.

Many Auckland cabbies say they are too scared to work at night after the killing police described as "frenzied" and "vicious".

Mr Joyce said the group was leaning towards security cameras over screens - which sometimes caused communication and air conditioning problems - but there would be a full investigation before any decision.

It is 12 days since Mr Mohini was stabbed to death in Mt Eden for a $15.20 fare. In what police say is a crime-fighting first for Auckland, a billboard has been put up to help the 40-plus team of officers track the killer.

It asks for help identifying a distinctive bloodstained blue bag found near Mr Mohini's car, a black knitted cap in the bag and a man who features in security camera footage. The footage showed the man carrying a similar bag.

Mr Joyce said it was no longer a question of if, but how and when a security order was made.

"Sadly, I think we've all come to the realisation that taxi drivers in New Zealand are less safe than they were and it's not something anybody would wish for, but we have to lookvery closely at mandating a higher level of safety initiatives - particularly for those working at night."

But Mr Joyce said he wanted evidence from Australia examined before a decision was made. He had asked for a report within a month and hoped to "make a call pretty quickly after that".

Taxi Federation executive director Tim Reddish said there had been a 70 to 75 per cent reduction in attacks on cabbies in Queensland since cameras were made compulsory.

"Over there everybody who gets a cab knows and there has been a cultural change in the way cab drivers are treated."

Mr Reddish said the New Zealand taxi industry operated on a number of levels and he understood those at the lower end would be worried about cost.

"But my message to them is not to worry too much," he said. "The cost is recoverable over time and I don't think it is as big a barrier as they think it will be."

The Queensland security cameras operated with three lenses - one snapping the passenger getting in, one in the front seat and one in the back, he said.

Data was stored remotely in a fireproof and waterproof box and there were strict privacy protocols about who could access it.

Mr Reddish said notices were put in cabs warning people they had been photographed.

Meanwhile, police are taking unprecedented steps in the hunt for Mr Mohini's killer.

The billboard in Fort St in central Auckland appeals for information and police will give retailers and supermarkets DVDs to run in-store. The murder investigation is also the feature story on the TV2 show Police 10/7 tonight.

"We're trying a range of methods to appeal to the public for information," said the inquiry head, Detective Senior Sergeant Hywel Jones.

"The billboard space was vacant and its location ties in nicely with the fact that we're appealing to Asian communities in the inner city to help us solve this mystery."

Members of the police Asian Safety Patrol Group would hand out flyers and talk to people celebrating Chinese New Year at the ASB Showgrounds on Saturday, he said.

Anyone with information about the killing of Hiren Mohini should call 0800 444014, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 for anonymous tips or email edgewater@police.govt.nz