The proposed changes follow news last year that Invercargill parking wardens sometimes worked in pairs following an increase in bad behaviour from the public.
An active tender shows the council is looking to introduce vehicle-mounted technology which can work with handheld devices in the hope it will "improve parking accessibility and safety for our officers".
"This technology enables us to move with the times and is meant to complement, not replace, our existing methods of compliance.
"Council’s tender process for this technology is still in the preliminary stages, and exact costs will depend on the successful vendor."
Mr Shaw indicated the number plate recognition technology and enforcement officers would serve unique purposes.
The technology would focus on time-restricted and metered parking while officers would continue to monitor illegal parking, investigate complaints and queries, and issue infringement notices for expired WOFs or registrations.
"[The technology] is also able to collect data around car parking occupancy rates and demand, which will further support any future development of car parking infrastructure in the city."
Licence plate recognition technology was becoming more common both globally and in New Zealand, he said.
This week, Porirua City Council began patrolling streets with technology fitted to a car. In 2025, a "fine sweeper" car in Hastings and Havelock North caught more than 5000 vehicles in five months.
Invercargill’s tender process began on April 21 and is set to conclude on May 19.
• LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
