'Name and shame' reaps $3.9m in overdue fines

The Justice Ministry's "name and shame" campaign has had better results this year, with nearly twice as many overdue fines being paid, Courts Minister Rick Barker said yesterday.

Mr Barker said $3.9 million was collected through overdue fines being paid in full or by instalments, compared with $2.1 million in 2003.

He credited the improvement to the new collections contact centres and extensive media coverage of the campaign.

"Congratulations to all these people who faced up to the issue, whether they rang to get their name off the list to be published in newspapers or just felt it was wise to make contact," he said. "The message that it will not get better, but worse the longer they ignore it, is getting through."

Mr Barker said some people did not wise up, and either had their cars seized, were summoned to appear in court or were now subject to an arrest warrant.

The average fine paid by those who did wise up was $855.

Mr Barker said the campaign would continue while the Government developed a new instant fine model.

That will be part of the previously announced review of the infringement system.

- NZPA