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Police Warn Tourists Over Dangerous Photo Stops on Kent Road

Police Warn Tourists Over Dangerous Photo Stops on Kent Road
Tony Skilling

Tony Skilling

14 July 2026

Road SafetyTraffic Kent Road
New Plymouth Police are warning tourists and photographers to stay off Kent Road after multiple near misses involving people stopping to take photos of Mount Taranaki.

⚠️ New Plymouth Police are issuing a warning to tourists and photographers, after numerous close calls on Kent Road, a 100kmh rural road.

Senior Sergeant Matt Prendergast says motorists have reported almost hitting people who have stopped on the road to get photos of Mount Taranaki.

The area is marked and sign posted “no stopping”, and in parts drivers have limited visibility due to corners and humps in the road.

“Concerningly, people are ignoring the signs and have been seen lying on the road and stopping traffic to take photos of the mountain.

“We’ve had more than one report of people nearly being hit, and multiple near misses being reported.

“People are not only endangering themselves, but all road users.”

Senior Sergeant Prendergast says Police have patrols around Kent Road and officers will take action to move people on.

“We can’t always be there to enforce the law, so we are appealing to people to use their common sense and obey the signs. It is not worth risking your life."

New Plymouth Police Kent Road Mount Taranaki Road Safety Tourists

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