Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
1 | 2 
  #2693665 16-Apr-2021 10:20
Send private message

Maybe this is why plates are expensive.... I did not know about the security feature before...

 

Security Feature

 

All plates are made containing a silver fern security feature in the sheeting. The silver fern is created during the
manufacture of the reflective sheeting. This unique image is for New Zealand (other countries have their own
image). The image can be seen if you turn the plate to a 15–30 degree angle. This feature is to assist the
identification of an authentic plate from a fake.
Only plates issued by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and its agents are legal. Plates purchased anywhere else
are unacceptable. 

 

Number plates | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (nzta.govt.nz)

 

 





Gordy

 

My first ever AM radio network connection was with a 1MHz AM crystal(OA91) radio receiver.




scottjpalmer

5972 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator
ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2693668 16-Apr-2021 10:22
Send private message

As posted earlier in the thread, a remake of a plate costs less than $20 so the plate itself is very cheap. It is purchasing the right to own/use it that is the spendy bit.

Kyanar
4089 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted

  #2693671 16-Apr-2021 10:33
Send private message

Inphinity:

 

Sure, but its $599 for a fixed format plate, versus $999 for a flex format. The process for both is fundamentally the same - perhaps marginally more moderation for flexi, but not $400 worth.

 

 

What's your point? They have to pay the salary of those people providing customer support, moderation, sales, accounting, etc, whether they sell one plate in a year or four hundred. Be cynical all you want, they have outgoings too and the profit margins are very unlikely to be anywhere near what you think - otherwise the former Personalised Plates mob would have fought tooth and nail to keep the rights. 




boosacnoodle
961 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #2693673 16-Apr-2021 10:42
Send private message

Kyanar:

 

Because replacing a plate just involves sending an order to Licensys to press it. Actually issuing one involves updating the registration database with the new plate for the car, sending the order to Licensys for production, a contribution to the road safety fund, a margin for the operator of the service, a moderator to ensure it's not a "clever combo" that would be objectionable, customer support, handling of the returned government issue plates, payment processing (Visa/Mastercard/Amex) commissions, etc.

 

 

Good guess, but it's actually not that. A large portion goes back to NZTA to "promote road safety". The information surrounding this arrangement is largely publicly available.


BlueShift
1692 posts

Uber Geek


  #2693743 16-Apr-2021 11:19
Send private message

If you don't have a specific plate in mind, browse the plates for sale on TM, there's some bargains, and some people dreaming!


MurrayM
2449 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2693753 16-Apr-2021 11:36
Send private message

I have a personalised plate, bought back when they first came out and only cost $200 or so, and it has extra lettering added for a phone number and URL of a business that I used to run. I've since closed that business and inquired about getting the plates reissued without the extra lettering. I expected to pay the reissue fee, which at the time was about $40 I think, but was told that they couldn't do that, I'd have to pay the full price of a new plate. Bugger that! So I've kept the plates as is.


evilonenz
/dev/urandom
287 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2693756 16-Apr-2021 11:41
Send private message

MurrayM:

 

I have a personalised plate, bought back when they first came out and only cost $200 or so, and it has extra lettering added for a phone number and URL of a business that I used to run. I've since closed that business and inquired about getting the plates reissued without the extra lettering. I expected to pay the reissue fee, which at the time was about $40 I think, but was told that they couldn't do that, I'd have to pay the full price of a new plate. Bugger that! So I've kept the plates as is.

 

 

You can do a restyle via Kiwiplates, looks like it costs $149.00. I've been tempted to change / remove the wording above my plate, but have never gotten around to it.





Smokeping

 

Referral Links:

 

Quic - Use code R536299EPGOCN at checkout for free setup
Contact Energy - Use code FRTQDXB for $100 credit


 
 
 
 

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).
Kyanar
4089 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted

  #2693765 16-Apr-2021 12:05
Send private message

boosacnoodle:

 

Good guess, but it's actually not that. A large portion goes back to NZTA to "promote road safety". The information surrounding this arrangement is largely publicly available.

 

 

No, it actually is that. I specifically called out the contribution to the road safety fund.


MurrayM
2449 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2694826 19-Apr-2021 15:24
Send private message

evilonenz:

 

You can do a restyle via Kiwiplates, looks like it costs $149.00. I've been tempted to change / remove the wording above my plate, but have never gotten around to it.

 

 

Hmm, I think a small pot of paint would be a lot cheaper to remove the lettering I don't want any more.


Inphinity
2780 posts

Uber Geek


  #2694834 19-Apr-2021 15:51
Send private message

Kyanar:

 

What's your point? They have to pay the salary of those people providing customer support, moderation, sales, accounting, etc, whether they sell one plate in a year or four hundred. Be cynical all you want, they have outgoings too and the profit margins are very unlikely to be anywhere near what you think - otherwise the former Personalised Plates mob would have fought tooth and nail to keep the rights. 

 

 

I'm not arguing over the price, I've happily paid the list price for multiple plates. My point was, the various things you listed:

 

 

Actually issuing one involves updating the registration database with the new plate for the car, sending the order to Licensys for production, a contribution to the road safety fund, a margin for the operator of the service, a moderator to ensure it's not a "clever combo" that would be objectionable, customer support, handling of the returned government issue plates, payment processing (Visa/Mastercard/Amex) commissions, etc.

 

 

are largely the same regardless of whether the plate is a fixed or flexi combo, yet there is a big price discrepancy between the two. To be honest, I'm surprised at the discrepancy being as large as it is, exactly because of all the various steps and costs involved. I can't find any detail on whether the NZTA road safety fund contribution is lesser from the fixed format plates, though.


1 | 2 
View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic





News and reviews »

Amazfit Expands Active 2 Lineup with the New Active 2 Square
Posted 23-Jun-2025 14:49


Logitech G522 Gaming Headset Review
Posted 18-Jun-2025 17:00


Māori Artists Launch Design Collection with Cricut ahead of Matariki Day
Posted 15-Jun-2025 11:19


LG Launches Upgraded webOS Hub With Advanced AI
Posted 15-Jun-2025 11:13


One NZ Satellite IoT goes live for customers
Posted 15-Jun-2025 11:10


Bolt Launches in New Zealand
Posted 11-Jun-2025 00:00


Suunto Run Review
Posted 10-Jun-2025 10:44


Freeview Satellite TV Brings HD Viewing to More New Zealanders
Posted 5-Jun-2025 11:50


HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14-inch Review
Posted 3-Jun-2025 14:40


Flip Phones Are Back as HMD Reimagines an Iconic Style
Posted 30-May-2025 17:06


Hundreds of School Students Receive Laptops Through Spark Partnership With Quadrent's Green Lease
Posted 30-May-2025 16:57


AI Report Reveals Trust Is Key to Unlocking Its Potential in Aotearoa
Posted 30-May-2025 16:55


Galaxy Tab S10 FE Series Brings Intelligent Experiences to the Forefront with Premium, Versatile Design
Posted 30-May-2025 16:14


New OPPO Watch X2 Launches in New Zealand
Posted 29-May-2025 16:08


Synology Premiers a New Lineup of Advanced Data Management Solutions
Posted 29-May-2025 16:04









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.