Stephen Colbert Recounts Hilarious New Zealand Police Traffic Stop

Traffic Stop Details During Film Production

Colbert was pulled over while driving 15km/h over the 30km/h speed limit, according to a roadside exchange recounted by Colbert and cited by the New Zealand Police. The officer introduced the stop with a quip. “G’day! So, we’re doing a little bit of speedwork here,” the officer told Colbert, according to the retelling. Colbert, unfamiliar with the terminology, replied, “I’m American, is that a lot?” The officer responded, “Well, it’s more than 30 isn’t it, hey?”

Following a check of the 62-year-old satirist’s identification, which yielded no immediate local records, the officer offered another remark. “Oh, look at this. You’re not in the system, you’re a bloody ghost … Casper the friendly ghost,” Colbert recounted. After completing a breathalyzer test described colloquially as a “cheeky blowy,” Colbert was issued a ticket of about $80—which has since been paid—along with 20 demerit points.

Public Response and Social Media Attention

The roadside encounter concluded with confusion over the demerit system, prompting a final remark from the officer. “I’m sorry, what’s a demerit point?” Colbert recalled asking. The officer answered, “You know what the word merit means? You’ve got 20 less of them now.” Colbert and his family subsequently nicknamed the officer “Officer Speedwork,” praising “Kiwi cops” as the “nicest people in the world”.

The retelling drew the attention of the New Zealand Police social media team, who shared a clip of Colbert’s confession on their Facebook page with the caption, “Thanks Stephen Colbert. We are really passionate about our speedwork.”

Franchise Enthusiasm and Non-Disclosure Agreements

Alongside his production work, Colbert’s fandom of The Lord of the Rings franchise—which features actors like Elijah Wood as Frodo—has led to notable encounters. Colbert recently told Kimmel that he was quizzed by Steven Spielberg about the film over lunch. Fearing breaches of non-disclosure agreements, Colbert demurred.

“So I just said … ‘Frodo teams up with a time-travelling dinosaur’, and he goes, ‘You can tell me – I’m Steven Spielberg, I know Peter Jackson’ … [but] I was afraid I would get into trouble, so I didn’t tell him anything,” Colbert said. He later shared the exchange with writing partner Philippa Boyens, who responded, “You idiot, he might have had a good idea – he’s Steven Spielberg.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Stephen Colbert in New Zealand?

Colbert was in New Zealand co-writing the upcoming movie The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past with his eldest son Peter McGee and franchise veteran Philippa Boyens, according to verified reports.

What penalty did Colbert receive during the traffic stop?

According to Colbert’s account, he received a ticket for about $80—which he has since paid—and 20 demerit points for driving 15km/h over the 30km/h speed limit.

How did the New Zealand Police respond to the story?

The New Zealand Police social media team posted a clip of Colbert’s confession on their official Facebook page, thanking him and noting their passion for “speedwork.”