Alternative, smaller number plate

I decided to get a stick on, small front number plate made by my signwriter friend.

Unfortunately he didn't quite get the idea of what I required, so made this plate instead from plastic signboard and vinyl cut letters. It is the same width as a standard NZ plate, but is only 75mm tall (about half height). He did made me a small stick on one also, but eventually I decided to use his first one as it looks a bit more like an original plate.

Non original number plates are not strictly legal in NZ, and I have been threatened with a ticket for not using a plate at all (thats what comes from living near a police motorway base!), and actually was issued one for having my plate inside the car on the dash up against the window (NZ$200). I fought against and did not have to pay the fine, but did ask for a detailed law clarification at this time. No clarification was given. I also researched all the traffic acts I could find going back to 1968, and the acts are difficult to interpret with regards to plates. In reality, it could be argued that if any non-original number plate is used, it is illegal. Also, if a plate is visually obscured, it is illegal. Where that stands with regards to being behind glass, I don't know!

Others in NZ use a stick on, but some have been threatened with fines. A few still run around with no front plate. The pics show the new plate first, and the old original plate below it which I previously had mounted in the same location. The rear plate is still original.