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If i carry bicycles on a rack on the rear of my car and they cover the registration number plate am i committing an offense?If yes do i need to obtain a spare plate to hang off the obstructing cycles ?

Yes, you will be committinmg an offence if the rear number plate is obscured, and you can be fined $150 for this. You are legally obliged to remove the rear plate and hang it from the obstruction so it can be seen. However, there is now an option of buying a third plate expressly for this purpose, see: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/71/registration-plates.html/.