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Traffic Department
Descriptive Data
TypeAgencyDate Range1919-1970DescriptionThe Wellington City Council Traffic Department was established in 1919 following a re-organisation of the Motor Inspector's Office and the introduction of the first traffic officers and the first patrol vehicle. The Council had been involved in motor traffic regulation since 1906, when the first Motor Vehicle Regulations were introduced. Traffic control was managed separately from the activities of the Transport Department.
The Traffic Department employed traffic inspectors for school traffic control, intersection control, installation of parking meters. It also carried out vehicle registration, driver licensing and traffic patrols, as well as developing Wellington's road and traffic infrastructure. By 1923 the Traffic Department consisted of the Chief Inspector, three Traffic Inspectors and a mechanic. By 1931 there was twenty staff, including seventeen inspectors.
Traffic Inspectors originally patrolled the central city but later, as the number of cars and traffic increased, they also patrolled the suburbs. Other functions of the Traffic Department included
Motor registration: licensing of vehicles came into effect in 1906 and between 1906 and 1925 local authorities were responsible for registering motor vehicles. In Wellington the Town Clerk's Department initially carried out this function, then the Motor Inspector's Office. The Traffic Department took over this function when it was established.
Driver Licensing: Wellington City Corporation was a Motor Driving Licence Authority and the Traffic Department issued licences to drivers until 1970. Regulations Bylaws were first passed in 1906 regulating motor traffic in the City.
Road Safety: From the 1930s the number of vehicles and the amount of traffic in Wellington began to increase substantially. There were many accidents, which lead to Council's involvement in road safety programmes The Department conducted numerous one-off traffic safety programmes and mid-1960s a scheme for traffic instruction in schools was approved and school patrols introduced. Council also appointed an officer to lecture primary and secondary school students in 'Road Traffic Instruction, Checking Bicycles, and Training School Patrols'. During the course of the year the officer involved would make some 300 school visits in the Wellington Area. With the increase of motor vehicles in the Wellington District the Traffic Department was increasingly involved in road safety education. 1961 saw the introduction of an extensive road safety campaign.
Wellington City Council's involvement in traffic control and safety ended in 1970, when the functions of this department were transferred to the Ministry of Transport.
The Traffic Department employed traffic inspectors for school traffic control, intersection control, installation of parking meters. It also carried out vehicle registration, driver licensing and traffic patrols, as well as developing Wellington's road and traffic infrastructure. By 1923 the Traffic Department consisted of the Chief Inspector, three Traffic Inspectors and a mechanic. By 1931 there was twenty staff, including seventeen inspectors.
Traffic Inspectors originally patrolled the central city but later, as the number of cars and traffic increased, they also patrolled the suburbs. Other functions of the Traffic Department included
Motor registration: licensing of vehicles came into effect in 1906 and between 1906 and 1925 local authorities were responsible for registering motor vehicles. In Wellington the Town Clerk's Department initially carried out this function, then the Motor Inspector's Office. The Traffic Department took over this function when it was established.
Driver Licensing: Wellington City Corporation was a Motor Driving Licence Authority and the Traffic Department issued licences to drivers until 1970. Regulations Bylaws were first passed in 1906 regulating motor traffic in the City.
Road Safety: From the 1930s the number of vehicles and the amount of traffic in Wellington began to increase substantially. There were many accidents, which lead to Council's involvement in road safety programmes The Department conducted numerous one-off traffic safety programmes and mid-1960s a scheme for traffic instruction in schools was approved and school patrols introduced. Council also appointed an officer to lecture primary and secondary school students in 'Road Traffic Instruction, Checking Bicycles, and Training School Patrols'. During the course of the year the officer involved would make some 300 school visits in the Wellington Area. With the increase of motor vehicles in the Wellington District the Traffic Department was increasingly involved in road safety education. 1961 saw the introduction of an extensive road safety campaign.
Wellington City Council's involvement in traffic control and safety ended in 1970, when the functions of this department were transferred to the Ministry of Transport.
Controlling Agency or Organisation
Controlling Agency or OrganisationWellington City CouncilControlling Agency or Organisation Date Range1870-
Traffic Department. Archives Online, accessed 06/04/2026, https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/8002