Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

The Government has decided not to make security cameras in taxis compulsory.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce ordered a report into the safety of taxi drivers after Christchurch driver Abdulrahman Ikhtiari was stabbed to death in December.

He says the cost of about $1,000 to purchase and install cameras in every taxi would be a considerable and prohibitive cost in the current economic climate.

Mr Joyce says only five out of 30 independent taxi companies that were consulted supported making cameras compulsory.

The Taxi Federation, which represents 65 of the country's 187 companies, supported the move.

Mr Joyce says current legislation allows for the installation of safety screens, cameras and distress buttons in taxis, but using them is the choice of drivers and companies.