Cameras don’t “do everything”. Good results come from the right camera + placement + lighting + recording + (ideally) monitoring. If you want plates at night or faces in low light, you need gear and setup made for it — not just more megapixels.
Why this matters locally
We work across Masterton, Carterton, Greytown and Featherston. We see the same CCTV myths crop up on lifestyle blocks, main-street shops and new builds. Here’s what’s true (and what isn’t) — in plain Kiwi English.
Myth 1: “A camera will do everything”
Reality: Cameras record. Deterrence and fast response come from lighting, signage, alarms, and monitoring working together. Pair CCTV with a monitored alarm or video verification for best outcomes.
Myth 2: “More megapixels = better evidence”
Reality: Resolution helps, but lens, sensor size, WDR, bitrate, and light matter more. A well-placed 4MP camera can beat a poorly set up 8MP every day of the week.
Myth 3: “Any camera will read number plates at night”
Reality: Retro-reflective plates bounce IR back and blur. You usually need a dedicated LPR camera, the right angle (off-axis), controlled shutter, and lighting. If plates are important to you (yards, forecourts, shared driveways), say so up front and we’ll spec for that. (General background: NZ Police use specialised ANPR/LPR approaches for reliability. Different problem, same principle — the setup is specialised. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0})
Myth 4: “One camera can cover the whole site”
Reality: Wide angles trade detail for coverage. Expect ~2–3 key viewpoints for a small home, and more for a shop/yard. If you want faces at entry and plates at exit, that’s two different jobs.
Myth 5: “Wireless is just as reliable”
Reality: Wi-Fi is fine for temporary jobs. For permanent installs we recommend wired PoE: stable, powered at the camera, and immune to neighbours’ routers and metal sheds.
Myth 6: “Night vision means I’ll see everything”
Reality: Built-in IR helps but it’s not magic. Add white-light flood/triggered lighting where safety allows and you’ll get colour detail, not grainy silhouettes.
Myth 7: “Cloud is mandatory (or always expensive)”
Reality: You can record to an NVR on-site, to the cloud, or both (hybrid). Retention is set by storage + bitrate + camera count. We size it to your risk and your budget.
Myth 8: “Cameras are a privacy nightmare — probably not allowed”
Reality: In NZ you can use CCTV — you just need a clear purpose, sensible retention, and to let people know they’re being recorded (signage is the usual route) and handle footage properly. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has practical guidance for homes and businesses. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Myth 9: “DIY is just as good as pro install”
Reality: Placement, angles, cable runs, bandwidth, and settings (WDR/IR/shutter) are what make or break footage. We regularly fix systems that were “high-spec on paper” but unusable at night.
What “good” looks like
- A short risk-led plan: what you need to see (faces, cash desk, plates, yard gates).
- The right camera for the job: turret vs bullet, varifocal where it counts, LPR where needed.
- Lighting: constant or triggered to get colour at critical spots.
- Recording you can trust: correct bitrate, smart search, secure remote access.
- Monitoring (optional but powerful): so someone acts when it matters.
Local note: Community and council cameras in Wairarapa are used alongside Police to help prevent and solve crime — they work best as part of a wider safety approach, not a silver bullet.
Quick answers (Wairarapa FAQs)
Do I need CCTV signs?
Best practice is yes — clear signage so people know cameras are operating and who to contact. It’s part of being transparent under the Privacy Act 2020 guidance.
How long should I keep footage?
Keep footage only as long as you reasonably need it for your stated purpose (many businesses aim around 30 days, longer for higher risk). Document it in your policy.
Can I film the street or my neighbour’s place?
Avoid capturing areas you don’t need. Use privacy masking and careful angles. If in doubt, ask us — we’ll help you stay on the right side of the guidance.
Free site check (no pressure)
If you’re in Masterton, Carterton, Greytown or Featherston, we’ll pop by, map the views you actually need, and price a system that does the job — no waffle, no overkill.
Contact us → or Call Now.
