One resident told the Herald the cameras might make the beach "slightly creepy". Photo / Ben Hill
One resident told the Herald the cameras might make the beach "slightly creepy". Photo / Ben Hill
Auckland Council is investigating two cameras set up on a North Shore beach.
The cameras are on Cheltenham Beach in Devonport, at the end of Matai Rd. They are attached to a fence extending from a property at the end of the road which shares a boundary with the beach.
North Shore resident David MacGregor was walking along the beach with his partner when he saw the cameras. He told the Herald he was "concerned" by their presence.
"It concerned me because people surveilling the beach with cameras and making recordings seems inappropriate," he said.
"People enjoying the beach with their kids and families don't expect to be recorded in their togs.
"It might be a public place but creating what could constitute an intimate recording seems wrong to me."
The cameras have been set up at Cheltenham Beach on Auckland's North Shore. Photo / Ben Hill
MacGregor also had an issue with the fact that there are no warning signs to accompany the cameras notifying beachgoers that they are being recorded.
"If people are aware of the cameras it might make that section of the beach less appealing, and slightly creepy, to people who have every right to enjoy the public space.
"I have no issue with people taking reasonable security measures to protect their property. But in this instance the context seems wrong and, whether intentionally or not, the property owners have made an error of judgment by aiming the cameras in the wrong direction. "
MacGregor has notified North Shore councillor Chris Darby about the cameras.
"Cheltenham is one of those rare public beaches in Auckland where private homes abut directly onto the beach. Property owners need to respect the rights of the public, just as we should respect theirs," MacGregor said.
Auckland Council is investigating the cameras. Photo / Ben Hill
Darby told the Herald that Auckland Council was looking into the issue.
A Privacy Commission spokesman said it appeared the cameras did not breach any laws.
"The general rule is that, if it's a public area it would probably not trigger any privacy issues.
"But we would also advise people to try and follow general privacy politeness... that's just good common sense even though it's not enshrined in the law."
