MTA Radiator September 2025 Issue by mtanz

Radia tor

HOW CHINA CHANGED OUR FLEET

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Advocacy: Industry's call to Government

Collision Repair: Do things change over time?

Training and Development: NCEA reform

Repairer: WOF watch – key updates

Dealer: 2025 Dealer-Distributor relationship survey

Fuel and Heavy Vehicles: Low emissions fund

Mediation: Motor vehicle lender penalised

Market Overview: August 2025

Editor

Gerald Rillstone

027 252 3229

gerald.rillstone@mta.org.nz

Postal address

PO Box 9244, Marion Square, Wellington 6141

Physical address

Level 5, AIA House

34 Manners Street, Wellington 6011

E: mta@mta.org.nz

W: www.mta.org.nz

Printing & Production

Vertia, Wellington Mailhouse

Orange Box, Wellington

Radiator Magazine

ISSN 1179-7800

The Motor Trade Association (Inc) (MTA) is not responsible for statements, opinions or factual matters published in Radiator magazine, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of MTA, its Board of Directors or its advisory/specialty committees, unless expressly so stated, and does not endorse advertisers.

Radiator magazine is available free to all members of MTA. Information on products and services contained in the editorial and advertising pages of this magazine is published as a service and no responsibility will be taken for inaccurate information.

Radiator magazine does not imply the endorsement of any product or service.

The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising and editorial at any stage.

Copyright: No part of Radiator magazine may be reproduced in part or in whole without the written permission of the publisher.

Crime and punishment

Simon Bradwell –Head of Communications

Recently, there’s been a lot of noise about crime. Seems like every week someone from Government is standing in front of the cameras and talking about it.

It normally starts with: “Under this Government”. Everyone familiar with that phrase?

•Under this Government, we’re getting tough on crime

•Under this Government, we’re putting victims first

•Under this Government, we’re giving police the resources they need

And Government is doing things. They are making changes. But there’s a long way to go, especially on fuel theft.

Last year there was 30,000 cases of fuel theft recorded with police. Probably much higher, as a lot goes unreported.

Pretty staggering when you start doing the maths on that. Eighty two a day, three every hour.

That is just the drive off theft. Not the nasty aggravated stuff. There was around 100 of those last year too.

You might remember that in March last year, there was a real spate of aggravated robberies, mostly

simon.bradwell@mta.org.nz

in Auckland. Pretty scary crime – guys in balaclavas smashing their way in, scaring the shit out of anyone working and grab the tobacco, vapes and any cash. We made a lot of noise in the media, we met with Mark Mitchell, and we developed an action plan to tackle violent crime. But when we talked to members about it, most of you said fuel theft is the real killer. It’s just constant and nothing is being done about it.

Fuel theft costs businesses millions. In direct costs, but also protective measures like bollards and the like.

What a lot of you told us was that you didn’t report a lot of the theft. And the reason for that was because you had become so used to nothing happening.

We got told over and over again that police had told you if you didn’t want to get robbed:

Either

•Switch to Pre-pay Or •Close up early

Which some members pointed out was pretty close to victim-blaming, and made no allowance for the

fact that sites depended on the foot traffic into the store for income. Not to mention a lot of customers didn’t like prepay.

We came up with some suggestions to help out, and we put them to Mark Mitchell – who by the way is a good bloke and actually does care about the issue.

First, we wanted a rethink about how retail crime is approached, a whole new strategy. That’s sort of happening, we’ll give them 4/10 for that.

We wanted police to have regular motorised nighttime patrols of sites in at risk areas to deter violent offenders. That got put in the too hard basket as being too heavy on resources – we’re still working on that.

We wanted trespass law toughened up, because a lot of people said it was worthless. That’s happening, so that’s good.

We wanted remorse discounts taken away at sentencing if offenders had bragged on social media. The Government went a different way but accepted to cut discounts.

We wanted a new, separate

offence for assaults on retail workers – that’s coming.

The next thing the Government announced is the formation of a Ministerial Advisory Group for Retail Crime.

You might have heard of this. It’s a group of retail representatives the Government handpicked to come up with ideas and changes.

We get to submit our views – and that of members – on the range of issues that the group is considering.

There’s some good stuff:

•Trespass review

•New law

•Tougher sentences

•New fines for retail theft (which includes fuel)

But this same group is also suggesting:

•Allowing retailers to carry pepper spray

•Having security guards on sites with tasers and batons

•Giving shop staff the right to detain suspects, even kids

•Beefing up Citizen’s Arrest

The overwhelming message we got from members was a resounding

Outstanding Service Awards

NO to most of these.

You felt they put their staff in danger of a violent confrontation that places them in harm’s way.

We strongly agree.

So we have strongly opposed most of those, and luckily we understand the Government agrees that arming retailers isn’t the answer either.

But we feel it’s very important to keep working with Government and police to find answers for industry.

On October 6, we are holding a Crime Summit with Police Minister Mark Mitchell, NZ Police, Auror and members.

It’s free and it’s open to all MTA members.

You can join online or come along in person and have a beer as well.

We really want it to be a positive experience, getting everyone in the room to find solutions to crime.

If you want to register or just ask for more information, please drop me a line: simon.bradwell@mta. org.nz.

I hope to see you there.

MTA is made up of around 4,000 members who make a significant contribution to our thriving automotive industry. All members enjoy the benefits of membership, but only a small portion are prepared to invest their time, skills and expertise into enhancing and improving MTA for the benefit of everyone.

Once a year, we take time to recognise and honour those who have made an ongoing and highly valued contribution to the association.

The MTA Outstanding Service Awards are only given to a handful of people each year, and recognise exceptional commitment at a national level. Last year Wayne McCurdy of McCurdy Trucks in New Plymouth and Hamish Miller, Auto/Eng Academic Leader at Otago Polytechnic and former MTA Aoraki East Coast Regional Chair, received the MTA Outstanding Service Award for their commitment and far-reaching work in the sector and community.

• Do you know someone who’s made a significant contribution to MTA and would be a worthy recipient of the Outstanding Service Award? Email: simon.bradwell@mta.org.nz for more details, or visit the MTA Toolbox.

MTA’s Simon Bradwell puts our Action Plan to Police Minister Mark Mitchell in his Beehive office last year.

Remodelled in real time: our new vehicle landscape

If it feels like there’s a new car badge popping up at local dealerships every other week, you’re not imagining it. New Zealand is in the grip of a seismic shift in its motoring landscape and it's arriving shipload by shipload. A wave of new automotive brands, predominantly from China, is redefining what the new car market looks like in 2025 and beyond.

Once considered fringe disruptors, these new brands are now at the centre of the action.

They’re front and centre in showrooms, often just a few steps away from legacy brands and

they are finding a hungry market in Kiwi buyers.

“New Zealanders are incredibly open-minded consumers,” Motor Industry Association (MIA) CEO Aimee Wiley says.

“We’ve always been quick to embrace new ideas, from software to platforms to technologie's and that curiosity absolutely extends to cars.”

The list of Chinese brands entering or re-entering the market reads like a who's who of the nextgen auto industry: BYD, Chery, GWM, LDV, Leapmotor, Lotus, MG, Polestar, Skyworth, Xpeng, CFMoto, Cineco, Froza, FAW,

“Part of the reason Chinese brands are becoming more popular is due to lower price points than established Japanese and European rivals.”

Foton, JAC, Sinotruk – and counting.

The MG ZS, specifically the MG ZS EV, and the GWM Haval H6 and BYD Atto are among the top-selling models with Chinese origins in New Zealand.

The GWM Haval H6 has consistently appeared in the Top 10 lists for 2025. The MG4 was also a top seller in 2024, ranking second overall.

MTA Sector Manager – Dealers and Specialist Services, Larry Fallowfield, says a massive shakeup is underway, the likes of which the industry has never seen.

And they come loaded with modern features, touchscreen interfaces, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and over-the-air updates.

“This isn’t just a few new models trickling in. This is a market-wide transformation,” he says.

New Chinese-made vehicles, often fully electric, are now retailing for around $30,000, placing them within reach of traditional used-import buyers. Some even undercut high-spec used hybrids brought in from Japan.

“That changes the game,” Larry says.

Although the Clean Car Discount

certainly played its part in encouraging EV uptake – playing into the Chinese brands’ hands, New Zealand hasn’t aggressively incentivised EV adoption like other countries have.

Yet it's become a hotbed for new brand EV launches.

Wiley says this is because markets like Europe and the US are cooling in terms of EV growth.

“That opens the door for global manufacturers to pivot towards smaller, more open markets like ours.”

While loyalty to heritage marques is still strong, it's under growing pressure.

Amiee believes factors like Chain of Responsibility (CoR) requirements and the rise of insurer-owned repair networks have dented the traditional value proposition of big-brand aftersales

“Some new brands lack the infrastructure buyers have come to expect.

“[But] if those vehicles are sold through a known dealership, consumers are surprisingly open to giving them a go.

“There’s a baseline of trust that comes from the dealer relationship, and that can be

With new models under $35,000 and the launch of the Roadster, MG is consistently in the top 10 brands sold.

GWM Haval H6 is gaining market share in the competitive hybrid market.

MIA CEO Aimee Wiley support.

enough to close the gap between known and unknown brands,” she says.

She says standardised global vehicle regulations and streamlined compliance pathways now make it far easier and cheaper for brands to launch in multiple countries with minimal friction.

New Zealand’s open import rules and flexible market make it an ideal test bed.

Take Sam Wang, an MTA Auckland member and one of the few independents bringing in new Chinese brands.

His journey to import the Skyworth EV brand took two years and involved navigating New Zealand’s complex compliance regime with the help of a specialist inspector.

“In China, 60 out of every 100 new cars are electric,” he says.

“That’s where the industry is going, and I wanted to future-proof my business.”

However, this open-door policy is not without its pressures. The influx is testing the limits of New Zealand's compliance infrastructure.

Processes like the Motor Industry Access Management Interface (MIAMI) and the Motor Vehicle Register (MVR) are being updated, but the pace of new entries is stretching system capacity.

“We’re concerned about

bottlenecks forming and the strain on regulatory oversight,” Aimee says.

“Used import dealers are adapting, either by focusing on ultra-low-mileage stock, niche models, or blending in NZ-new inventory to stay competitive.”

It’s a shift that even longestablished franchised dealerships cannot ignore.

“Many are now mixing their offerings, pairing well-known nameplates with newer, lesserknown brands under the same roof to broaden consumer choice and future-proof their operations,” Larry says.

“Dealers need to adapt or they will be outpaced.

“The next few years won’t be a war between new and old, it will be a balancing act between

traditional franchises, forwardlooking used importers, and an ever-widening array of vehicle choices.”

He says dealers, distributors and service providers are all being asked the same question: how will you adapt?

Larry also points out the invasion of new brands isn’t confined to passenger cars either.

“We're seeing rapid diversification into light commercial, heavy trucks, motorcycles, and scooters.” Because these brands are born in the world’s largest automotive market, where survival requires excellence.

Over 31 million vehicles were sold in China last year alone, and with more than 100 local manufacturers, only the best rise to the top.

Their global expansion isn’t a dream, it’s the next step in an already brutal race, Larry says.

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MTA Sector Manager – Dealers and Specialist Services, Larry Fallowfield.

Chery is making inroads, having entered the New Zealand market in the last few years.

BYD is gaining market share on other EV brands.

New MTA member Sam Wang is entering the new car market with two flagship EV brands, the Skyworth and the June Yao.

Bold leap into the EV market

Breaking into the new car market isn’t for the faint-hearted, especially when you're not just selling cars but introducing entirely new automotive brands to Kiwi roads.

For MTA member and entrepreneur Sam Wang, it’s a challenge he’s spent the last two years preparing for, and now his vision is finally hitting the streets.

He has received NZTA accreditation to sell his flagship EV brand the Skyworth and is adding another, the June Yao.

It’s a major milestone for Sam, who is one of only a few independents attempting to bring in fresh EV brands from China.

“We’re not a distributor for the June Yao, but we are licensed to sell it here,” he says.

“We are specialising in new brand EVs – they are clean, efficient, and ready for the market.”

Although final pricing is still being locked in, the Skyworth models are expected to sell for around $55,000. But for Sam, this venture is about much more than just numbers. It’s about

future-proofing his business and taking control.

“I started out selling Japanese imports, but making a profit was very hard. I realised, if we want to be competitive in the future, especially with EVs becoming mainstream, we needed our own brand.”

Built by robots, powered by the sun

The Skyworth and June Yao EVs come with a high-tech backstory.

Manufactured using fully automated robotics in advanced production facilities in China and Turkey, the vehicles are assembled in neardarkness, not for secrecy but because there are no humans on the factory floor.

“They work around the clock, and the buildings even have solar panels on the roof to power the entire process. It’s the future of car manufacturing,” he says.

The Skyworth battery is made in Turkey under a joint partnership, while the June Yao is built in China. Both vehicles are part of a global surge in EV production – one that Sam believes

Aimed at the medium-size market, the June Yao will soon be joined by two more new-to-the-market Chinese EV brands.

handling after-sales service, predelivery inspections, and soon, a new offering: home solar systems.

“We’ve already got the solar systems on site, ready to go,” he says.

New Zealand needs to embrace sooner rather than later.

“In China, 60 out of every 100 new cars sold are electric. That’s where the industry is heading fast.”

EVs, solar, and the bigger picture

Sam isn’t stopping with cars.

His Henderson business includes two mechanical workshops and a panel beating shop and the Skyworth site is set to become an all-in-one EV hub,

“We’ll be able to show customers how it all works — using solar panels and battery storage to power their homes and charge their cars. Clean energy, start to finish.”

While pricing for the solar kits is still being finalised, Sam says the goal is to offer scalable solutions based on household size and energy needs.

New country, new life Sam’s journey into the automotive industry has been an unconventional one.

Originally a lawyer in China for over a decade, he left for Japan in the

early 2000s with plans to continue practising law there. But when his family later moved to New Zealand, he followed and found himself starting from scratch.

“I began learning English in 2017,” he recalls.

“Becoming a lawyer here would have been very difficult — the language standards are very high. So, I looked for something new.”

That “something” started with part-time jobs and a real estate licence.

Then a friend from China invited him into the automotive business, and things took off: a panel shop, a car yard, and another workshop soon followed.

“That’s when I started thinking seriously about the future,” he says.

“EVs were clearly the way forward.” With help from MTA and guidance from industry mentors like MTA’s Mike Burd, Sam navigated NZTA’s strict compliance and certification process. Now, with Skyworth on the ground and June Yao soon to follow, he’s already eyeing two more EV brands for the New Zealand market. Two new Skyworth models are already in production, and Sam says hybrid options may also be added to the line-up in the near future. The move isn’t just about profit margins; it’s about building a business that can ride the wave of EV adoption, support the local community, and offer a cleaner energy future.

“The world is changing fast,” Sam says. “We want to be part of that change and help bring it to New Zealand.”

The June Yao boasts a roomy interior with a high-quality finish.

Both brands are built using the latest technology.

A line-up of June Yao EVs ready to hit the road in the next few months.

Turbocharged ambition: when vision and skills merge

From humble beginnings as an alignment workshop tucked behind an army camp in Auckland’s Sylvia Park, new MTA member Darren Baker’s business, Mag & Turbo, has grown into one of New Zealand’s most recognisable automotive retail franchises with 19 stores to date. Behind the polished rims and showroom-ready suspension parts that fill its stores lies a story of passion, perseverance, and one man’s belief that Kiwi car-lovers deserved something better.

Leaving Manurewa High School at just 15, Darren gained a toehold in the industry through an apprenticeship at Auto Alignment.

It became his hands-on classroom, and by his early twenties, he

had put himself through a Small Business Management degree via correspondence.

“I was lucky to be surrounded by proper tradesmen, guys who taught me the right way,” he says.

“But after a while, I realised the only way to truly grow, both personally and financially, was to work for myself.”

First step was creating Mt Wellington Alignments, a one-man band tucked behind the early Mag & Turbo Warehouse. It wasn’t flash by today's standards, but it was a start.

Darren’s big break in business came when his skills and vision collided with the formation of Mag

Just a lot of energy and a belief that it could work.”

Funding came from turnover and an overdraft, along with help from a business partner.

But not everything was smooth sailing.

“There were definitely tough moments, but I always knew we had something unique. Kiwis love their cars, and that’s not changing any time soon.”

Eventually, buying out his original business partner became another defining moment. It freed up Darren to formalise systems, negotiate supplier deals, and launch nationwide marketing initiatives.

Key to building the brand, Darren says, was his belief in the owneroperator model.

“When someone owns the store, they’re invested in the outcome, sales, service, and reputation. And they’re rooted in their community. That’s powerful.”

This approach saw the business grow from a single workshop to a network of thriving franchises. The brand grew not just through expansion but through evolution.

Shiny wheels +

& Turbo franchise 30 years ago.

His vision: a one-stop-shop that did it all – wheels, tyres, suspension, and alignment, all under one roof.

“We knew there was a gap in the market,” he says.

“People wanted quality parts, expert service, and a place they could trust. We set out to build a system that could be replicated across the country.”

Franchising became the growth model, but it wasn’t without growing pains.

Smooth sailing? Nah

“In the beginning, it was chaos,” Darren says.

“No proper systems, no supplier agreements, no marketing plan.

Its service offering has grown to include suspension tuning, car care, and a range of performance products.

And with the growth, the customer base has also matured.

Thirty years on from those humble beginnings, Mag & Turbo is more than alloy wheels and tyres.

“In the early days, it was 18-to-25 year-old guys modding their rides. Now? We’ve grown up with our customers. These days it’s 30-plus, male and female. Everyone wants to put their own stamp on their vehicle.”

Darren has learned a few things along the way also and not every idea was a hit.

“Business partners – never again, and central billing? Way harder to control than we thought,” he says. It’s all a long way from those humble beginnings.

Grown from humble beginnings into a powerhouse business, Mag & Turbo joins MTA with almost 20 stores nationwide.

Mag & Turbo owner Darren Baker.

Darren grew the company from humble beginnings using a system that could be replicated throughout the country.

Autocheck changes the game in vehicle data

Autocheck is a proudly Kiwideveloped and owned business that's redefining how car dealers access and use crucial vehicle information.

At the wheel is co-founder Mike Harvey, whose decades-long experience in the motor trade fuelled the creation of Autocheck.

“Autocheck is a vehicle data provider, offering solutions primarily for vehicle traders and franchise dealers,” Mike says.

“We help them find out the important information around a vehicle to help make informed decisions around trading or buying.”

And it’s not just the basics.

Autocheck delivers live, accurate vehicle data in real time — including a vehicle’s history, change of ownership records (thanks to a direct contract with NZTA), and even documentation like CIN (Consumer Information Notice) cards to help streamline dayto-day dealer operations.

But where the system really shines is with imports, particularly vehicles coming in from Australia.

Mike says Autocheck’s insights are impressively granular.

“If it’s a write-off, we can actually tell you the type of damage — down to

Autocheck owner, Mike Harvey.

specific panels. Whether it’s flood damage, malicious damage, or mechanical failure, we can pinpoint what happened, where, and why,” he says.

This depth of information didn’t happen overnight.

Mike, alongside his software engineer co-founder, “the real brains of the operation,” as he calls him, spent years building the platform from scratch. The idea was sparked by Mike’s own experience on dealership floors.

“I’ve been in the car industry since I was a teenager, and I knew there was room for something better, especially in the franchise dealer space,” he says. “There was a need for competition, for someone to offer an alternative.”

Autocheck officially launched in December 2021, but Mike says much of the heavy lifting happened behind the scenes, long before the first customer came onboard.

“It took a long time to get access to government data and secure the right contracts. There are only a handful of companies in the country that can do what we do,” he notes.

Today, that effort is clearly paying off.

Autocheck has close to 400 dealer locations on its books, and its user base has tripled year-on-year since launch.

So, what’s behind the rapid growth?

Mike says it’s a combination of cost, quality, and simplicity. “We’re saving our users a significant amount financially. But it’s not just that — we’ve built a really slick platform. It’s easy to use and mobile-friendly, which is key for dealers who are on the move.”

In a space traditionally dominated by legacy systems, Autocheck is aiming to put customer experience back in the driver’s seat.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about the customer,” Mike says.

“We feel the incumbents haven’t been doing enough in that space — and that’s where we’re different.”

Backed by deep industry knowledge and a commitment to innovation, Autocheck is a Kiwi tech success story with its foot firmly on the accelerator — and it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down any time soon.

To find out more about the benefits of Autocheck go to: www.autocheck.

co.nz

MTA Crime Summit 2025 Stopping Crime, Protecting People

Last year there were 30,000 recorded instances of theft at service stations.

We’re hosting a Crime Summit that will put Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Matt Tierney, Manager of NZ Police’s National Retail Investigation Support Unit, in front of members to hear your experiences and take your questions.

You’ll get the chance to hear what authorities are doing to support you - and have your say.

No one will leave this event empty-handed. It’s about how we can all work together to keep you, your business and your teams safe from crime.

When: 6 October, 6pm

Where: QT Hotel, Wellington

How: Join in-person or online

Are you one of them? Register for this FREE event now!

REGISTRATION: simon.bradwell@mta.org.nz

Student turns mentor: Rhys pays it forward

When Rhys Lindsay was 16, skipping school and working 60-hour weeks at McDonald's, few people, least of all his teachers, expected him to one day become the boss of a thriving automotive business.

A few years on and in his early 20’s, Rhys is not only proving them wrong, he’s setting the benchmark for young business owners in the motor trade industry.

Recently, the Government announced changes to the NCEA system aimed at better supporting young people entering trades. But for MTA member Rhys, whose career path was anything but traditional, the reforms would probably have made little difference to his journey. Instead, it was a combination of grit, opportunity, and a drive to succeed that put him in the fast lane. Rhys’s story was first featured in the

February 2023 issue of Radiator, just after he had purchased Auto Super Shoppes Tawa, the workshop where he trained as an apprentice.

Two and a half years later, the business is busier than ever.

“When I took over, we had four staff including me,” Rhys says.

“Now we’ve got eight; three apprentices, two qualified techs, and two admin staff. We’ve got a good clientele, lots of fleet vehicles vans, utes, trucks and we still do after-hours service for our customers.”

He credits the business’s success to its prime location, a strong team culture, and a few smart perks.

“We’ve got a bonus scheme running, and I put on free Friday lunches for the team. It’s all about keeping staff happy and motivated.”

Having experienced firsthand how

business doing administration, have plans to purchase a second workshop.

“We’ll keep the current shop running, but we’re looking for another site that already has a client base. We’ll take what works here, like the management structure, and adapt it to suit.”

They’ve also recently bought a house in Tawa, cutting down the 40-minute commute from Stokes Valley to just a few minutes. “That’s made a huge difference,” Rhys says.

Young buck

Now enrolled in the Entrepreneurial Business School, Rhys is focused on the future.

“The plan is to get off the tools and work more on the business,” he says.

“I’m still a young buck, and I don’t know exactly what the future looks like, but starting young has worked out

really good so far.”

He admits owning the business at a young age hasn’t always been easy, but it has been worth it.

“You lose a bit of freedom and some friends because of the responsibility.

“No late-night drinking or parties anymore, but I’ve still got my interests, gym, motorbikes and Crystal and I go away on business events a fair bit.”

From being told he’d never amount to much, to running a thriving, awardwinning business and mentoring the next generation of automotive apprentices, Rhys Lindsay is living proof that with the right attitude and support, there’s no limit to how far you can go.

And with expansion plans for the future, it’s clear he’s just getting started.

Andrea Andrew

hard it can be to get a foot in the door, Rhys is passionate about helping others do the same and has three apprentices among the current team.

“I did Gateway through Tawa College, so I know what it’s like trying to break into the trade,” he says.

“Now I try to get students through the door, give them some basic skills and help them earn credits towards NCEA.”

His hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.

In just two years, Auto Super Shoppes Tawa has picked up several accolades, including the Auto Super Shoppes Supplier Support Award and last year’s Up-and-Coming Generation Award.

But Rhys isn’t stopping there. With an eye on future growth, he and fiancée Crystal, who will soon join the

Auto Super Shoppes Tawa owner Rhys Lindsay credits the business’s success to its prime location, a strong team culture, and a few smart perks.

Rhys with fiancée and partner in business Crystal.

Seamless ordering with BNT EzyParts.

Why waste time double handling orders? Now you can browse BNT’s EzyParts catalogue and place orders seamlessly from your Auxo Workshop system. Scan the code to learn more.

Smoko Stumpers

Ratings:

1/5: Put your L plates back on.

2/5: Hit the books, rookie.

3/5: Middle of the road.

4/5: Close but no cigar.

5/5: Congratulations, you’ve outrun The Chaser.

Test your knowledge with our five-minute monthly motoring quiz. Answers

1. Would a car that uses 10l of petrol to travel 100km pay more under Road User Charges versus fuel tax, or less (over 15,000km)?

2. The IM (Intelligence in Motion) range is the luxury sub-brand of which Chinese marque?

3. How many films are in the regular Fast and the Furious film franchise – 10, 12 or 18?

4. What is the maximum charge to remove a wheel clamp?

5. How many wheels did a Reliant Robin have?

Automotive events 2025

- Hot Rodders Breakfast

Wellington Car Museum and Cafe.1st Sunday of Every Month! Buffet Style from 8.30 am till 9.30 am. Bring your Hot Rod, Classic or Muscle Car. Hang out with likeminded people.

The Mangakino Lake Hop 2025

After a successful event in 2024Mangakino Lake Hop is back for its seventh year. Save the date. Sat, 27 September 2025 at 10:00 am, Lake Road, Kinleith, Tokoroa

Auckland - Wheels for Kids Performance Car Show

Sunday 12th October! Go Media Stadium, Gate E, Maurice Rd, Penrose. 10am - 2pm. $5 entry per adult, under 12s free or $5 per show vehicle.

V8’s….race cars, muscle cars, classics, special interest cars needed…register NOW!

Sunday October 12, 10am to 2pm. Gate E 52, Maurice Road Penrose. Only $5 per car on the day.

Live music, bar, food, trade stalls, flash tattoos, prizes, giveaways, raffles, Bathurst on the big screen and following our show carry on the day at Ace Motorsport who offer go karts and simulators!

Otago - Sliding Designs

Girls Burnout Competition

6th and 7th of September in Lawrence at the Gymkhana Club Grounds

This will be open to the public/spectators

Skid demos, stalls, food vendors and more Waimakariri - Hotrods to Fernside School Fair

Live band, car show and a big boot sale

Starts at 10am Fernside School. 19th October, 285 Oroarkes Road, Fernside

Whakatane Rod and Custom Inc

Spring Fling is locked in! October 4th, 11am from the Clubrooms, ending at Squeaks with a band n party! Camping available onsite, please email Rach on whakatanercclub@gmail.com to book your spot as there are limited spaces.

Northland- Cruz’n The Bayz

Cruz'n the Bayz has grown over three years, and many have enjoyed this fantastic event is open for ticketing now so everyone can plan for Cruz'n the Bayz 2026.Over 4 days cruise

Northland with like-minded classic/hot rod/ muscle car and bike enthusiasts from all over Aotearoa NZ. The cruise will travel through our local communities who are supporting the event with music/entertainment, local cuisine

and welcoming celebrations. Cruising from Paihia daily to surrounding townships. Thu 5 Mar 2026–Sun 8 Mar 2026, 8:00am–10:00pm

Ala Moana Motel in Paihia have come on board with an Earlybird 3 nights' free accommodation during the 2026 event. Register for Cruz'n the Bayz at Eventfinda between 1st May to 1st October and you're in the draw. Call 0800 BUY TIX (289 849) Wheels and Deals Car Show and Swap Meet

To be held in Featherstone this November 16th 10am to 2pm. For more: 027447 9990.

Murchison Classic Vehicle Day

All classic cars, motorcycles, Utes and trucks welcome. Murchison Sport and Recreation Centre 10am to 12pm.

Taupo Rod and Custom Club

50th Anniversary

Cruise, show and shine, dinner and music. 6th to the 8th of February 2026.

Papakura Rod and Custom Car Show

Show and shine, swappers stalls, Food stalls and car club cars on display.12th of October 2025. 7am to 12 noon Ardmore Airport.

Wellington

New qualification pathway for fuel sector

For the first time, MTA service station members now have a clear, structured pathway to nationally recognised qualifications, and it’s a game-changer.

For years, many working in the fuel industry have relied on on-thejob experience, internal training, and informal skill development.

While that’s built a strong and capable workforce, it hasn’t always translated into recognised qualifications or clearly defined career progression.

Now, thanks to MTA’s partnership with ServiceIQ, New Zealand’s workplace training specialist for

the service sectors, service station owners will have the tools to change that.

Sector Manager Mathew Alderdice has been instrumental in driving this change. He’s worked closely with his sector to understand their needs and ensure that MTA service station members, whether they operate service stations with or without food and beverages, now have access to practical, work-based training programmes tailored to the real needs of their workplaces.

“This is a huge opportunity for our members,” says Mat.

is attracting, developing and retaining great staff.

The sector competes with other large employers in the service industry, such as Bunnings, The Warehouse, and Woolworths, who can often offer appealing pay, benefits and career structures.

Having clear, recognised qualification pathways helps level the playing field. It not only entices new people into the fuel industry but also gives them a reason to stay, knowing there’s a visible route to advancement and professional growth.

Until now, service station employees often developed strong skills without formal recognition. That can limit career progression and make it harder for businesses to benchmark capability.

With these new pathways:

•staff gain nationally recognised qualifications while working.

•businesses improve service, safety and efficiency through better-trained teams

The new training will provide a pathway to a qualification form management to junior roles.

“For the first time, we have industry-aligned, NZQArecognised qualifications that staff can earn on the job. It’s about lifting capability, improving retention, and showing the fuel sector is a serious career choice.”

Why this matters for MTA service station members

The introduction of formal qualification pathways is more than a training initiative, it’s a long-term investment in the sector’s future.

One of the ongoing challenges on which we have had feedback from MTA service station members

•the sector becomes more attractive to young people by showing a clear career ladder from entry-level to management

•employers benefit from stronger retention as trained and valued staff are more likely to stay.

Mat believes this will also help shift perceptions about the service station industry.

“When people see a pathway from school through to senior management, it changes the conversation. We’re not just offering jobs, we’re offering careers,” he says.

Who is ServiceIQ and what do they offer?

ServiceIQ is the work-based

division for New Zealand’s service sectors, specialising in workplace learning that leads to NZQA qualifications.

They work with businesses to design training that is delivered entirely on-site, at a pace that suits the learner and employer with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.

For MTA service station members, this means you can upskill your team without sending them off-site, paying for expensive courses, or losing productivity.

Training is practical, relevant and embedded into everyday work.

Better still, these programmes are cost-effective and backed by industry standards, so you can be confident that what your team is

learning is exactly what the sector needs.

Pathways for every stage of the journey

Whether you’re bringing in a secondary school student for work experience through gateway or preparing a senior staff member for a management role, there’s now a pathway for everyone in your team.

Gateway Programme –growing future talent

Gateway connects secondary school students with real-world experience in your business. Students gain valuable life and work skills, earn NCEA credits, and get hands-on exposure to the industry. Many Gateway students go on to secure part-time or full-

ServiceIQ brings practical work-based training to the fuel sector.

time work with the businesses that hosted them, making it a smart recruitment pipeline and a way to give back to the community.

Retail Savvy Award

Perfect for entry-level retail staff, this award covers customer service, product knowledge, stock management, and health and safety. It’s available in print or online and is completed entirely on the job.

NZ Certificate in Retail (Level 3 & Level 4)

Level 3 gives sales assistants the skills to boost store performance, understand legislation, and manage stock. Level 4 takes the next step, preparing supervisors and managers to lead teams, manage resources, and deliver strong business outcomes.

Hospitality Savvy Award and NZ Certificate in Food & Beverage (Level 3)

For service stations offering food and beverage, these programmes cover essential food safety, hygiene, customer service, and specialist café or barista skills, vital for keeping customers coming back.

Team leadership and business management pathways

From the Team Lead Savvy Award

to the NZ Certificate in Business (Levels 3 & 4), these programmes equip emerging leaders with communication, team management, and operational skills. They’re ideal for succession planning and preparing future managers.

Easy to implement, big on impact

All programmes are delivered on-site by your own people, with support from ServiceIQ training advisors. The training is tailored to fit around your business operations, meaning minimal downtime and maximum relevance.

Employers don’t need to reinvent the wheel; the programmes are industry-standard, NZQAapproved, and designed with your type of workplace in mind.

Better yet, the cost is manageable, especially when compared with the return in improved performance, reduced staff turnover, and enhanced customer experience. How to get started

Getting involved is simple.

•For Gateway: Open your doors to a secondary school student and give them a taste of the industry. You could be training your next star employee. Contact Gateway@mta. org.nz or phone 027 335 8190.

•For upskilling your current team: Talk to ServiceIQ about which pathway suits your business. Whether it’s retail, hospitality, leadership, or management, there’s an option to match. www.serviceiq. org.nz

•For leadership development: Identify high-potential staff and get them started on a Level 3 or Level 4 business qualification. www. serviceiq.org.nz

A milestone for the sector

This launch marks a milestone in professionalising the service station workforce. With the backing of MTA and the expertise of ServiceIQ, service station members now have access to a full suite of qualifications that reflect real workplace needs.

As Mat puts it, “Our members have been asking for this for years – a clear, recognised pathway that supports recruitment, retention, and business growth. Now, we have it. It’s time to make the most of it.”

For more information or to register your interest, contact Mathew Alderdice on 027 265 5186 or Loretta Thomspon on 027 335 8190 today and take the first step towards building a stronger, more skilled service station workforce.

TIME TO MAKE TRACKS

Become a qualified tyre technician with MITO’s new Tyre Technician micro-credentials!

These micro-credentials offer a structured and recommended pathway for advancing skills and staying current with the latest industry practices and innovations.

Tyre Technician—Foundation Skills

Tyre Technician—Technical Skills

Tyre Technician—Senior Skills

Fleet Tyre Technician—Senior Technical Skills

Scan the QR code or visit mito.nz/tyres to enrol.

or service stations offering food and beverage, the training will cover essential food safety, hygiene, customer service, and specialist café or barista skills.

What you're telling us

Every month we reply to members’ questions and comments drawn from conversations with the MTA team. Do you need advice or an answer on something? Radiator would love to hear from you. Please email simon.bradwell@mta.org.nz.

We operate one of the VTNZs in Auckland and have extended our hours and are now open on Sundays also to help accommodate customers, and we are seeing a lot more work coming through the door.

We have heard of a few members doing this, and the most common reason is customers in some areas are predominantly shift workers and it helps keep businesses profitable in tough times.

We have noticed a trend among customers: they aren’t keeping up to date with their vehicle safety because it’s a trade-off between putting food on the table or having their car up to date.

One way of helping with this is to encourage customers to make the small upgrades to their vehicles (like tyres) when they are advised to, rather than waiting till something bad happens, and having to fix it when it is beyond their means.

Another option is to offer Afterpay, which is one of MTA’s most recent member benefits and allows larger bills to be paid with smaller instalments. It has proven to be a game changer for some our members.

A shoutout to MTA member Steve’s Tyre Auto Care in Palmerston North, which raised a staggering $100,000 for the local hospice.

It’s great to hear about members putting back into the community. The $100,000 donated to Arohanui Hospice through their $10 puncture repairs and WOF contributions was a great way to support a worthy cause and stay connected to customers.

I am looking at hiring two new staff in the coming months; what sort of background checks should I be doing to make sure all the boxes are ticked?

Background checks can include criminal checks, driver licence checks, credit checks, visa check etc. You don't have to do these checks if they are not relevant to the role (ie there would be no reason to do a credit check on an auto technician).

If the new candidate is required to drive a company vehicle, an NZTA driver check will help to make sure they are appropriately licensed drivers.

I’m interested in advertising in Radiator magazine – what options are available for members?

Radiator magazine offers members free classified advertising in the Businesses for Sale and Situations Vacant sections.

For larger advertisements (quarter page, half page and full page), email gerald.rillstone@mta.org.nz

MTA welcomes new member

22G WoF and Tyres, Nawton Motors Limited, GAS Kopuriki, Gasoline Alley Services Ltd, BM Autobahn 2024 Ltd,Mountain Motors 2025 Ltd, Taylormade Motors Ltd, Caltex Blenheim Road, Shivay Trading Limited, Mobil St Lukes, D Run @ 734 Limited, Horowhenua Mechanical Services Ltd, GAS Piopio, Gasoline Alley Services Ltd, Truck Works Mechanical Ltd, Manukau Autos Ltd, UCC Motorhomes & Caravans, UCC Limited, Autopal Vehicle Servicing, Autopal 2025 Limited, Challenge Killarney, Gold Drops Limited, GAS Urenui, Gasoline Alley Services Ltd, North Canterbury Collision Repairs - Kaiapoi, North Canterbury Collision Repair Centres, Anglesea Court Motors, GRCW Holdings Limited, Midas Onehunga, DOKT Enterprises Limited, Mag & Turbo Tyre & Service Centre New Plymouth. Mag & Turbo Warehouse Franchises Limited, Mag & Turbo Tyre & Service Centre Lower Hutt, Mag & Turbo Warehouse Franchises Limited, GAS Maungakaramea, Gasoline Alley Services Ltd, Mag & Turbo Tyre Franchises Ltd.

MTA member benefits and offers

Make the most of your membership and take advantage of the value on offer from our business partners. For more information visit the MTA Toolbox or give us a call on 0800 00 11 44.

Afterpay

Offer Afterpay at a special MTA rate and attract more customers with Buy Now Pay Later convenience.

ASURE Accommodation

10 percent off 40 ASURE Accommodation Group properties throughout New Zealand.

AUXO Software

Increase profits with leading comprehensive solutions for automotive dealers and workshops.

Boost

Ready-made employee benefits package in a simple phone app.

Cardlink

Save thousands with transaction fee discounts for Service Stations.

DebtorInfo

Makes getting paid easy, effective and affordable. Members get a highly preferential rate.

Eftpos NZ

25 percent off terminal rental and free credit card surcharging.

Employment Advice

Our HR team are on hand to help you with staff and employment issues. Access a host of free HR resources and templates on our Toolbox.

Gallagher Insurance

A business insurance solution designed specifically for MTA members.

Gift Products

These MTA products have been designed to keep the MTA brand in front of consumers and encourage spend back to MTA members.

mta.org.nz/toolbox

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

We offer tools that help your business stay compliant and safe. Support is available for members and their staff dealing with life’s challenges.

Interislander Ferries

10 percent off the best available fare when you cruise between islands.

Just Water

Keep staff hydrated with 15 percent off water coolers and supplies.

Mediation Advice

Our free mediation service can help you handle issues with customers before they escalate.

MTF Finance

MTA have partnered with MTF Finance to provide a finance solution aimed to help your customers pay for repairs, maintenance, parts and accessories that exceed $1500.

n3 Business Buying Power

Free access for members. Last year members saved an average of $7,566 using n3 suppliers.

Our Auto Service repair data and diagnostics at great rates.

Regional Opportunities

MTA hosts over 500 training and social events per year for members and staff.

Scenic Trains

Enjoy great journeys of New Zealand with 10 percent off the best available fares.

Triton Hearing

Free hearing checks and an extra 10 percent off hearing devices and protection.

*All business partner offers are subject to their own individual terms and conditions.

From one journey to the next: Our family’s car story

Many MTA staff love vehicles as much as you do, and have a story tell about them. This month, MTA Marketing Administrator Genevieve Zerf.

Back in 2016, my husband Clinton and I took a leap of faith that would change our lives forever. With a shared dream and a healthy dose of optimism, we made the decision to move to New Zealand. It was one of those moments where the future felt wide open.

We had just sold our home and one of our cars in preparation for the move. Flights and accommodation were sorted, and we had a packed two-week schedule ahead of us, filled with job interviews and a road trip that would take us from the top of the North Island down to Wellington. But there was one critical piece still missing: a car.

Renting a vehicle for that long, especially with drop-off fees, didn’t make financial sense. So, we did what any hopeful-but-slightly-panicked couple might do - we bought a used car online. It was a 2005 Honda CRV we found through a listing in Auckland. A dear friend of ours stepped in to do the pre-purchase inspection and handled everything on our behalf. We trusted their judgment and the dealer’s honesty, and picked up the car the day after we landed in New Zealand. We never could have guessed then just how important that Honda would become to our family. Now, nearly a decade later, the CRV is still going strong—and has just been passed down to our 16-year-old daughter,

Right to repair? More like right to ruin

who’s learning to drive. It’s seen us through job changes, house moves, school runs, and more family road trips than I can count.

As for Clinton, he’s not one to change cars lightly. He’s the kind of person who drives a vehicle until the wheels just about fall off. But with the CRV moving on to its next driver, it was finally time for him to find something new.

We dove into research, exploring all the options, and the Haval H6 quickly rose to the top of the list. Clinton liked the combination of smart features, solid design, and comfort.

But what really made the difference was the team at Brendan foot

Supersite—especially Duane – who took the time to walk us through everything and answer all our questions without a hint of pressure.

The test drive sealed the deal.

After some thought and a few more conversations, Clinton drove home in his first brand-new car: a 2025 Haval H6 in Astral Pearl. The handover wasn’t just a formality; it was a moment. The whole family came along, and the team at Brendan foot made sure it felt as special as it was.

From a bold move across the world to passing the keys to the next generation, our journey has always had four wheels under it and now, a new chapter begins.

The defeat of the so-called Right to Repair Bill is a win for families, for choice, for energy efficiency, and for common sense.

New Zealanders narrowly avoided being dragged into a fantasy world in which 1980s appliances would roam the countryside like technozombies, patched together with duct tape and dreams, serviced by bureaucrats with screwdrivers and good intentions. That might sound like a utopia to Green MPs, but in the real world it’s a nightmare, especially for working families trying to make ends meet.

Make no mistake, this Bill was never about helping Kiwis fix their toasters. It was about forcing manufacturers to design for an ideological wishlist that ignores how global supply chains actually work. The result would have been higher prices, less innovation and, ironically, worse outcomes for the environment.

Household appliances would have become older, dirtier, and harder to replace. Want to upgrade to a more efficient dishwasher? Good luck. The Greens would rather you keep the one you’ve got until it can be lovingly repaired by a statecertified monk using paper straws

and positive vibes.

ACT opposed this Bill because we understand the cost of ideological tinkering. The Greens and their fellow travellers have a habit of pushing ‘luxury beliefs’: ideas that sound virtuous over craft beer in Wellington, but that hit ordinary people in the wallet. This was one of them.

Thankfully, the select committee saw through it. They recognised the risk of turning New Zealand into a technological backwater where outdated whiteware limps on like something out of Mad Max.

But here’s the good news: while the Left was busy fantasising about legal frameworks for blender maintenance, MTA and its members were doing the real work.

The automotive sector is leading the charge to reduce landfill, partner with the waste industry, and lower its environmental footprint without punishing consumers.

That’s what responsible business looks like. It’s industry-led innovation, not governmentmandated nostalgia.

I want to acknowledge MTA for pointing out this nonsense from day one. They understood the cost,

the supply chain risks, and the unintended consequences better than any Green MP ever could. They spoke up for consumers, for workers, and for the future, and Parliament listened.

ACT will continue to defend the right to choose modern, efficient, affordable products. Because a real circular economy isn’t about dragging everyone back to the rotary phone era. It’s about creating conditions for innovation, investment, and responsibility. And that’s a repair worth making. Simon Court MP ACT Energy and Climate Spokesperson.

MTA is attempting to facilitate and broker an industry-led solution to the provision of repair information that involves input from repairers, manufacturers, distributors, and new vehicle dealers.

• Simon Court is an ACT MP and is the Under-Secretary to the Minister for RMA Reform. The opinions expressed in this column are his own.

Simon Court

Buying a brand new car was a family event.

Hydrogen on the horizon

While electric vehicles grab much of the headlines around the future of domestic transport, don’t forget hydrogen, says one leading manufacturer.

Development is moving at pace from concept to practical component of Toyota New Zealand’s decarbonisation strategy, Hydrogen Programme Manager Rodger Spillane says.

“We are focusing on three main areas: passenger mobility, portable power, and heavy freight,” Rodger says.

“The same fuel cell technology that powers Toyota’s Mirai sedan also drives our 100kVA hydrogen generator. That very same system is being adapted into America’s Cup chase boats and even heavy trucks.

“It’s incredibly versatile,” Rodger says. And it is about to be tested on a big scale.

Early next year, Toyota will support hydrogen integrator company Global Business Ventures to deliver 12 hydrogen fuel-cell electric trucks to MTA member TR Group.

The trucks will be on the road by the

end of February 2026, marking a milestone not only for Toyota but for the entire transport sector.

Hydrogen Master Technician Malcolm Lambert says heavy freight is where the opportunity really lies.

“When you look at decarbonising by 2030 and 2050, freight is one of the hardest nuts to crack. Hydrogen makes sense here, it refuels quickly, doesn’t add extra weight that cuts into payload, and works well for long-haul. That’s where we see real impact.”

Myths

Rodger and Malcolm hear plenty of myths about hydrogen and are quick to debunk them.

“People sometimes think hydrogen’s always ‘green.’ It depends on how you make it.

“Our Mirai and generators are powered with hydrogen from Halcyon Green Hydrogen, produced using geothermal electricity near Taupo.

“In New Zealand we’re lucky our high proportion of renewables means we can make hydrogen the right way.”

Safety is another common topic.

“The systems are rigorously tested and often safer than petrol. Hydrogen’s a hazardous substance, yes, but it’s tightly regulated in New Zealand.

“And vehicles like Toyota’s Gen 2 Mirai have got a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

“The tanks are incredibly robust, we’ve seen them tested to destruction at the factory.”

And perhaps the biggest mythhydrogen is just for cars.

“Not true,” Malcolm says.

“We’re powering trucks, boats, generators, anything that needs electrified power.”

How it works

Toyota’s Mirai hydrogen system is a fuel-cell electric vehicle that uses hydrogen to generate electricity.

But it is not complicated, Rodger says.

“The car generates its own electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen, stores some in a traction battery, and powers an electric motor.

“The only thing that comes out the tailpipe? Water vapour.”

Unlike plug-in EVs, there’s no charging.

Refuelling is quick, and with six hydrogen stations now open in the North Island (Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Taupo, and Palmerston North), the network is beginning to take shape.

Sweet spot

So where does hydrogen sit alongside

battery EVs?

The two technologies aren’t rivals, Rodger says.

“Hydrogen and EVs complement each other, for passenger cars, EVs are dominant and make a lot of sense.

“But hydrogen really shines where batteries struggle, heavy-duty transport, marine, aviation.

“Faster refuelling, lighter systems, and no compromise on payload.

“That’s its sweet spot.”

Positivity

Malcolm joined Toyota’s hydrogen team in 2024 after nearly three decades in the dealer network, and see the move to hydrogen as a necessary evolution for the industry.

“It’s a fantastic pathway for younger technicians.

“We’re supporting customers, integrating fuel-cell systems, and learning together in what’s still an emerging field.

“And when we’re at events like Fieldays, talking to the public, there’s real positivity about hydrogen and the role it’ll play.”

“We’re just at the start, but these first trucks and stations are the catalysts.

Hydrogen’s no longer a theory, it’s happening right here in New Zealand.”

Toyota’s Mirai hydrogen system is a fuel-cell electric vehicle that uses hydrogen to generate electricity.

Toyota will support hydrogen integrator company Global Business Ventures to deliver 12 hydrogen fuel-cell electric trucks to MTA member TR Group.

Toyota New Zealand’s hydrogen strategy leaders, master technician, Malcolm Lambert, and Hydrogen Programme Manager, Rodger Spillane.

Toyota’s Mira - Unlike plug-in EVs, there’s no charging, and refuelling with hydrogen is as fast as refuelling with petrol.

The system generates its own electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen, stores some in a traction battery, and powers an electric motor.

MG3 Essence vs Suzuki Swift GLS

Suzuki and MG recently renewed their small cars, both line-ups featuring hybrids. We compare two identically priced models, one a hybrid, one not.

MG3 used to be the least expensive car you could buy brand new in New Zealand until recently at roughly $20k.

Now that’s been superseded by an entirely new range, with petrol and hybrid powertrains, it is no longer the cheapest, the Excite Petrol kicking things off at $25,990. So the Suzuki Ignis takes over as the new car price leader ($21,990) in New Zealand.

Anyhow, the entry-level MG3, dubbed Excite, happens to cost exactly the same as the least expensive new-generation GLS Suzuki Swift, at least in manual form (Swift CVT adds $2k).

However, MG3 also comes in higher Essence spec, adding $2k to the bottom line. So the two cars you see here are identically priced.

However, Suzuki has gone mild hybrid

across the board whereas the MG can also be had with ICE power alone (as here) or as a more sophisticated hybrid, with a separate generator and traction motor.

Hence, it is more expensive (kicks off at $30k). Despite its added complexity the hybrid uses no less fuel than the Suzuki, slightly more overall according to rightcar.

Therefore the Suzuki is looking like it is better buying, at least on paper. Would this turn out to be the case?

Nitty gritty on fuel use

Who’d not want the advantages of electrification over none, especially at a value price? The most obvious advantage of electrification is reduced fuel use.

The Suzuki employs a 1.2L naturally aspirated three-pot engine mated to an integrated starter generator (ISG), the former good for 61kW and 112Nm. The ISG contributes 2.3kW and 60Nm, helping out at restarts

You might have seen in the news that local hypermiler, Donn Anderson, managed 3.3L/100km during a 200km economy run in and around Auckland.

Matching him might be difficult but stick to 80km/h in the right places and you possibly could.

By contrast the bigger 1.5 four-pot engine in the MG3 which also runs a CVT used around 6.5L/100km at open road speeds in our hands and sevens in the burbs. It is doing roughly the same 2000rpm at 100km/h as the Suzuki.

As to performance, despite its lesser figures, Swift was quicker by a small amount than the MG3, no doubt a reflection of its lighter weight.

Swift has a wee button on the lever that acts like an old-school overdrive for a burst of speed. The Suzuki proved slightly noisier on chip seal.

primarily (of the engine and of the car away from stopped).

MG3 petrol uses a 1.5-litre fourcylinder engine that makes 81kW and 142Nm. Where the fourth-gen Suzuki is said to use 4.3L/100km overall in its CVT guise (4.0 for manual), the petrolonly MG3 excite uses roughly 50 per cent more (6.0L/100km).

Rightcar suggests an even higher figure of 6.7L/100km. However, MG3 runs on 91, the Suzuki requires 95.

Helping the Suzuki on the fuel use front is a stop-start system that’s inaudible in operation. MG3 petrol doesn’t have this. The Suzuki is lighter too, by over 200kg (989 vs 1199kg).

And so if you’re primarily after a vehicle that uses precious little fuel, the Suzuki would be the one to covet. Its 4.3L/100km figure is doable and at times we saw figures in the high threes on the motorway, with a worst of 5.2L/100km.

Specification favours the MG MG3 Essence is the same mechanically as Excite but adds goodies like a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, satellite navigation, a 360-degree camera, LED headlights, a leather wrapped wheel, and keyless entry, being the more important items.

New Zealand isn’t an ideal environment for a sunroof much of the time and your phone has sat nav. But then Essence is only $2k more, and we’d probably say yes on account of the LED headlights, the 360 degree camera, leatherette trim and keyless entry as much as anything.

The Suzuki spec for the same money? No sunroof here, 360-degree camera or leather wrapped wheel but LED headlights are standard. So is a fourway adjustable steering column.

It too gets ACC (with stop and go) and sat nav while each has traffic sign recognition, AEB, lane departure warning and centring, and high beam assist. The MG adds BSM and RCTA. They both have keyless entry and pushbutton start, along with Bluetooth phone connectivity. The Swift’s seats are cloth trimmed.

The MG has a seven-year unlimited kay warranty, the Swift five years/100,000km (three years plus two-year powertrain extension).

How do they come across?

MG3 looks much bigger than before, and it measures up at 4.1m long, the five-door hatch offering 293L of boot space. By contrast, the Suzuki is 3860mm long and offers 265L of luggage capacity.

The new MG3 features various character lines along the flanks and a sloping bonnet that drops away pleasingly. It has an up-for-it facial expression too. Inside it bears almost no resemblance to the old model, and is vastly improved.

The Suzuki retains the overall shape of the former generation but features new lights all round, a clamshell bonnet and all door handles now run just below the waist line.

It’s a more modern and yet somehow familiar look, no doubt appealing both to the faithful and potential newcomers. Inside is fresher but without quite the flash of the MG. And that’s most apparent with the new central infotainment system that pretty much runs the MG3. However, one aspect MG overlooked in the update was a four-way steering column. That might not seem like a big deal but it does have significant repercussions for comfort. Because the wheel doesn’t

MG3 Essence.

Suzuki Swift GLS.

extend out, taller people will find themselves sitting too close to the pedals.

With the seat set forward, that makes ingress and egress more difficult than in the Suzuki. Moreover, MG has opted for softer seat foam which initially feels cushy but you soon find yourself sitting too low in the seat which has precious little inbuilt lumbar support.

I quickly found myself squirming in this.

The Suzuki has firmer seat foam, part of its ergonomic seat update. And with a four-way steering column and better lower back support, this is fine for longer driving stints.

The MG3 split-folding involves the entire back rest where the Suzuki you can split-fold 60/40. Bing bong

Safety reminders separate this pair. They both have them, only one is more vocal while the other makes do with visual reminders.

The MG is more insistent but you can turn off the overspeed rebukes without actually turning off traffic sign recognition.

The bad news is you need to do it each time you restart the vehicle. Same same with the lane departure warnings. Fortunately it’s only a three-step process using the central touchscreen and some we’d expect will have no issue with the reminders in the first instance.

Might save you a ticket. I’d rather keep

an eye on speed myself and leave the rebukes to my front seat passenger.

In the Suzuki, on the odd occasion when you need to delve into the new more vibrant touchscreen, it responds instantly.

That in the MG can be a bit hit and miss, until you realise that a quick solid tap is what it responds to best. Even then the response isn’t that quick. But you get used to it, and you have to because most items devolve to the centre screen.

In the Suzuki, the climate controls are separate and analogue like. And some items like auto stop/start are controlled by pushbuttons.

There’s also an info button on the wheel which you can use to scroll through myriad items, including instantaneous and average fuel readout, digital speed etc.

Further over by the door is the stop start button, easily visible and easily accessed. The MG’s is hidden behind the rim on the left side of the wheel.

For the driver, the Suzuki is vastly easier to manage. Visibility is better too; the MG3 headrests even at their lowest block part of the rear window, not so in the Swift.

Dynamics are much closer

As a drive these two are relatively close, except that the Swift is a bit firmer and better controlled on road, the MG3 slightly softer in the ride. However, the driving position and

the seats themselves mean Swift rides better overall. We really liked the steering in the Swift too, so communicative where things are more muted behind the MG’s unusually shaped almost square wheel (hinting at the octagonal badge).

One odd aspect we noted with the MG3 is that when ACC is active the autonomous steering has the car doing a gentle weave left to right as it centres itself continuously.

The Swift just keeps things on the straight and narrow. More annoying is the huge gap the MG3 leaves that all and sundry fill, even on its closest setting.

Which then?

In essence, the Swift does less wrong here to take a clear win. In fact, it does sod all wrong and a whole lot right, not the least of which is its quite amazing ability to use next to no fuel, even if you’re not trying especially hard.

The MG3 is a real step up on its predecessor, more sophisticated to look at inside and out. But the seating ergos didn’t endear me to it. And fuel use compared with the Swift’s simple mild hybrid system didn’t either.

To meet the fuel use of the Swift you need to spend $30k to get the hybrid which is a more sophisticated offering technically, even if its fuel use figure is no better than Swift’s.

But it may well be worth the extra over the petrol MG3s.

MG3 Essence

Suzuki Swift GLS

Blast from the Past

Every month we revisit pages from Radiator's history.

Stop letting money blow across your forecourt

By Larry Fallowfield Sector Manager – Dealers & Specialist Services

You wouldn’t leave your doors wide open on a windy day and let your invoices fly out the door, would you? So why let potential N3 savings do the same thing?

If you’re an MTA member who is not using your N3 discount card, you might as well be standing on your forecourt tossing $50 and $100 notes into the breeze like confetti at a wedding.

It’s the golden ticket

The N3 card is your golden ticket to real, tangible savings at over 50 trusted suppliers.

In the past year alone, MTA motorcycle dealers have saved an average of $1,236, with the top saver exceeding $7,000.

Used vehicle dealers saw average savings of $1,313, with the highest reaching nearly $5,000.

Meanwhile, franchise dealers are getting exceptional value, saving more than five times their MTA membership fee, with average annual savings of $5,750, and one standout business saved over $90,000.

I know it can be hard pulling that N3 card out of your pocket or wallet, just to save a few bucks, but when your annual savings pay for your MTA membership fee, why wouldn’t you just make a little effort?

Think of it like this, if N3 savings pay for your annual MTA membership, then all your other MTA services are less than free: MTA employment HR advice – ‘nada’, or mediation support –

Savings span across key categories, including Trade & Maintenance, Vehicles & Fuel, and Business Essentials & Office Supplies.

If you're regularly fuelling your fleet or courtesy cars, the 6 percent fuel discount alone could cover your MTA membership fee. But that’s just the beginning, there are substantial savings to be found with suppliers like Corys Electrical, where typical discounts reach 40 percent, as well as on tyres from Bridgestone or Carters, batteries from Century or Exide, and even deals from Bunnings Trade, Carters, Hirepool, Avis, Budget, or that replacement TV from JB Hi-Fi.

Many of the top savers report strong discounts spread across a wide range of N3 suppliers. In some cases, the discounts are automatically applied to their accounts, making it a simple ‘set and forget’ – no extra admin required to start seeing the benefits.

No extra work, just extra value, and the best part is you don’t have to jump through hoops. Just flash your N3 card (or use your account number), and the discount is applied – no forms, no fuss, no “I’ll get back to you with a quote.” It’s already done.

If you’re thinking, “I’m too busy to sort that out”, just remember: every time you don’t use your N3 card, a finance manager, your bank, your significant other sheds a tear, thinking of all the other things those savings could have been used on.

Every dollar counts

In today’s tight market, every dollar counts. Whether you’re a small-town dealer or a multi-site operation, using your N3 card is one of the easiest ways to tighten up your margins without cutting corners. Don’t let your margins leak like a faulty sump plug.

So, stop letting money float through your hands like a service invoice

caught in a gust. Grab your N3 card, check out the supplier list, and start saving.

Remember, if you use your N3 card, it’s like finding a forgotten $100 or five one hundred-dollar bills in your glovebox, except it happens every month.

If you’ve lost your card, never activated your account, or just want to know where the best deals are hiding, check out the MTA toolbox n3 - Savings For Your Business or reach out to us – we will help you get sorted faster than mothballs falling out of your wallet when it’s your shout on a Friday night.

Bottom line

You’ve already paid for the perks, now it’s time to use them. Your forecourt doesn’t need to be a wind tunnel of wasted savings, let’s keep those $50 and $100 bills where they belong – in your business.

‘zip’, or OCP counselling service –‘zilch’. In what world could you pay below zero for services like that?

Or if you are like some key franchise dealers, you make over $4,700 over and above your membership fee from your Blue Badge membership!

What is N3?

N3 is a business buying network that negotiates bulk discounts with over 50 leading suppliers. As an MTA member, you get access to these deals automatically: no haggling, no awkward phone calls, and no need to buy 1,000 items just to get a decent price. Think of it as a loyalty card, but instead of a free coffee after 10 stamps, you’re getting serious discounts on the stuff you actually use to run your business.

DAS and modified vehicles

Meet the apprentices driving the future of automotive

Apprentices all over New Zealand are turning their passion into a profession— bringing energy, curiosity, and fresh talent into workshops across the industry.

These MITO apprentices are making their mark. Head online to mito.nz to watch their stories and see how hands-on training is helping to build bright futures.

From Toy Cars to Torque Wrenches

Britney Moore didn’t just play with remote control cars—she pulled them apart, curious about how they worked. After a stint at university, she realised her true calling was hands-on, and the automotive workshop was where she belonged.

Now an apprentice technician at Ebbett Tauranga, Britney’s days are filled with variety—whether she’s rotating tyres or diagnosing complex issues, she’s always learning something new. The passion and energy she brings to the workshop is felt by the whole team, as Britney builds a bright future in the automotive industry.

Name: Britney Moore

Employer: Ebbett Tauranga

Region: Bay of Plenty

Training programme: Light Automotive Engineering

Watch the video and learn more about Britney’s journey at mito.nz/britney

Ben’s Dual Drive

For Ben Morrison, cars aren’t just a job—they’re a way of life. Growing up around engines and racetracks, it was only natural he’d find his place in the automotive world.

These days, he's balancing speedway thrills with workshop skills as a panel beater at Topline Panel & Paint. Whether he’s restoring rusty write-offs or painting eye-catching classics, Ben brings energy, precision, and passion to every project.

Name: Ben Morrison

Employer: Topline Panel & Paint

Region: Auckland

Training programme: Collision Repair

Ben’s love for racing is fuelling his career—watch the video at mito.nz/ben

Hands-on with Heavy Diesel

Growing up hands-on and curious, Connor Hall followed in his father’s footsteps into the world of heavy diesel mechanics. Now working at Drummond & Etheridge, Connor spends his days diagnosing and repairing agricultural machinery, keeping local farms running smoothly.

Whether he’s out on-site or in the workshop, Connor’s passion for problem-solving and practical work shines through. His journey—from MITO StartUp® while still at school to a thriving apprenticeship—is proof that with the right attitude and support, curiosity can become a career.

Name: Connor Hall

Employer: Drummond & Etheridge

Ltd - Ashburton

Region: Canterbury

Training programme: Heavy Automotive Engineering

Watch the video to see how Connor is turning curiosity into a career at mito.nz/connor

yulene.knight@mta.org.nz prabha.raman@mta.org.nz

Workplace changes: restructuring and redundancies

The drop in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 3 percent is a significant one and signals a positive economic trend; however, for SMEs the gloom could continue a little longer owing to various factors.

Automotive businesses have seen a steady decline in the volume of sales and services over the last couple of years, coupled with a lack of skilled labour readily available in New Zealand and increasing operating costs. This means that as a business owner, you may be forced to make hard decisions, such as restructuring your business, which may lead to disestablishing roles and, therefore, redundancies.

As a rule, restructuring should be the last resort, and utilised when no other quick cost saving measures have worked. Restructuring must always be substantively justified with evidence, and procedurally correct. Not adhering to these requirements, including good faith

obligations, can make you liable for costly personal grievances.

While restructuring usually is a response to a business’s financial crisis, it may not necessarily be only about that. It can be a constructive, strategic step to ensuring a business’s long-term sustainability to allow it to cope with external and internal changes.

You must consider the following factors before commencing a restructuring process: Legal obligations, including compliance and regulatory requirements such as vulnerable workers, redundancy compensation etc.

Financial implications with respect to costs, including opportunity costs and potential savings.

Employees – who will be impacted? What are the impacts?

Communication – why/what/ who/when/ where/how.

Change management –

implementation and recovery.

Once the above factors have been considered, you must ensure procedural fairness by being fair and transparent throughout the restructuring process.

It is important to note that a restructuring process may not necessarily lead to ending employment on the grounds of redundancy but could culminate in a change in hours of work, nature of work (tasks), reporting lines, remuneration etc. Redundancy only occurs when a role is disestablished and a suitable redeployment of the employee into another role within the business is not possible. You can follow the recommended process flow:

1. Identify the changes that need to be made and gather evidence for why they are needed (economic downturn – financial reports, sales report, job bookings etc).

2. Identify the role/s and

employee/s that will be impacted by the proposed changes.

3. Draft a comprehensive proposal document detailing the changes proposed, reasons for these changes, who will be impacted, how they will be impacted, the proposed process of engagement, timelines, and support provided.

4. Consult with the impacted employees in person to present the proposal and seek their feedback. They have the right to support and representation.

5. Consider employee feedback and any alternatives proposed by them.

6. Make a decision based

on evidence and feedback. Communicate the decision in writing.

7. Implement the decision (redeployment – variation of employment agreement, redundancy notice etc).

Please note that where you reduce the number of roles within the organisation, you must run a contestable process to appoint employees in those roles into the reduced number of roles. For example, if you are reducing the number of mechanic roles from four to three, you must give equal opportunity to all four employees to contest for the reduced three

roles. You can set the criteria of selection and make your appointment decision based on the suitability of the four employees on the set criteria.

Restructuring can be quite challenging, especially with the high risk of personal grievances being taken against employers on the grounds of unjustified dismissal and unjustified disadvantage. The HR team at MTA has in-depth expertise in this process and can help you navigate it well. We also have document templates that you can access. Please contact us at hr@mta.org.nz or call us at 0800 00 11 44.

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Industry's call to Government

Earlier this month MTA’s Head of Advocacy, on behalf of the shareholders of MITO Ltd, wrote to Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds on the transition of MITO to industry ownership. This continues the important work MTA has led across the sector on this issue. Below is a lightly abridged version of the letter sent to the Minister.

We write to you as the shareholders of MITO Limited, a charitable company which has been registered in anticipation of receiving the assets, people, and activities of MITO, currently a work-based learning division of Te Pūkenga.

As representatives of the industries that MITO serves – automotive, commercial road transport, mining, extractives, drilling, and gas – it is our collective responsibility to ensure continuity and stability for learners, employers, and industry.

We’ve put significant energy and focus into preparing for this transition, reflecting how important industry training is to us and to the long-term success of our industries. Last week we met with Te Pūkenga leadership and the Chief Executive of the Tertiary Education Commission.

While our discussions have been constructive and supportive, we are seeking a clear commitment to enable a one-step, seamless transition. As an industry, we are investing heavily in getting this right,

and we need the transition process to be enabling so that we can move at pace and with confidence toward 1 January 2026.

The new entity, MITO Limited, has been created for industry, by industry, and is to be operated with charitable status to ensure that no shareholder gains any individual financial advantage from its success. All surpluses will remain within a closed loop, reinvested into learners, apprentices, scholarships, business development – ultimately for the good of the New Zealand economy.

We are requesting a one-step transition for MITO. There are three ways to enable this:

1) MITO WBL transfers to MITO Limited effect from 1 January 2026 – it would require the Government approving a Transition Plan that provides for a direct transfer.

2) MITO remains within Te Pūkenga for a brief period following the standing up of the Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) on 1 January 2026 and is then transferred directly to MITO Limited as soon as possible.

3) If ISB standup is not required first, MITO is ready to be transferred as soon as MITO Limited has been granted PTE status prior to 1 January 2026.

We believe a one-step transition is the right approach.

• It has the full support of industry associations across automotive, transport and

james.mcdowall@mta.org.nz

logistics, drilling, mining, quarrying, and gas.

• Te Pūkenga itself has confirmed its support for this transition.

• Avoids duplication, reduces red tape, and saves taxpayer money.

• Maintains trusted relationships, continuity for learners and employers, and pastoral care.

• Allows ISBs to concentrate on their core setup functions and standard setting

This approach also provides the Government with a clear early success story – demonstrating ambition, responsiveness, and a commitment to practical, industry-led solutions.

Industry remains deeply committed to high-quality, industry-led vocational education and apprenticeships. Industry acted in good faith when MITO was transferred into Crown ownership as part of the Review of Vocational Education (RoVE), and we continue to do so now.

A seamless and timely transition will ensure continuity for learners, employers, and industry alike, while delivering on the Government’s ambition for an industry-led vocational education system.

•The letter was signed by representatives of 17 industry organisations.

Do things change over time?

50 years ago

CRA’s ancestor organisation, known as the NZ Motor Body Builders Association (NZMBBA), was in negotiations and confrontation with insurance companies, principally ancestors of AA Insurance and State Insurance (today IAG). NZMBBA would recommend rates for members to be paid for insurance work, and the insurance companies would work to prevent any increases. The business in those days was dominated by employee unions; NZMBBA would be involved in negotiations on pay rates and working conditions with the unions and representatives of the Labour Department. One notable point of conflict was the provision of tea and coffee to employees; a number of employers thought this over the top and demanded that NZMBBA resist at all costs. How things have changed! The tone of the 1970s was confrontational; in the case of collision repair, with insurance companies, unions, New Zealand Customs and vehicle franchise holders over the cost of parts.

40 years ago

A goods and services tax was introduced in 1986, along with a cut in the marginal income tax rate from 66 percent to 40.5 percent. This sales tax introduction killed many New Zealand caravan, boat building and motor body building businesses in the late 1980s. Technology was changing rapidly too, with the introduction of computers into everyday business along with new vehicle technology, particularly unibody construction,

which changed motor body building and the way vehicles were repaired. These changes and the need to be trained in new technologies stimulated the CRA to bring I-CAR to New Zealand and in 1987 I-CAR ran the first Unibody repair courses. The 1986 introduction of the Commerce Act in New Zealand caused big changes in how business was done and resulted in collision repair businesses having ComCom run-ins. This was in no way unique to our industry; much of New Zealand industry engaged in activities that had to change with the new approach to competition that the new Act introduced. Conflict with insurance companies continued to escalate as the insurance companies (State Insurance being the largest) started up assessment centres with what many repairers saw as overly restrictive practices.

30 years ago

Second-hand imports from Japan created new challenges for the collision repair industry, leading to the introduction of standards to prevent unsafe vehicles entering New Zealand. The 1987 market crash was still reverberating through the New Zealand economy, creating tough market conditions for business. The 1990s featured insurance companies, led by market leader at that time State Insurance, focusing on making the interface between customers and insurer direct, with insurers looking to own the customer relationship. Insurers blacklisted repair businesses that resisted these initiatives. Two large insurers dominated the market for

vehicle insurance. A massive power imbalance existed, and the Commerce Act had the effect of preventing small repair businesses from grouping together to negotiate.

Today

Reading the above shows that, in some cases, not much has changed over 50 years. The power imbalance between those paying for insured vehicle repairs and the people who repair them still exists, with about 80 percent of New Zealand vehicle repair insurance being with two companies. A trend in the 2000s has been for insurance companies to own their own repair facilities, and most insurers now align with their own preferred repair network. The beneficiaries of these changes are the insurance companies; nowhere have these changes lowered costs to consumers, while at the same time the number of options on how a vehicle is repaired and who repairs it have reduced. New Zealand needs to seriously consider why we believe it is in the nation’s interest to have large companies (often foreign owned) dominating our industry sectors. If competition improves price, choice and innovation for the customer (and it does), then why don’t New Zealanders act?

Meanwhile, some things don’t change, as the history lesson above shows: the damaging effects of market domination still prevail, and the profits continue to go into foreign accounts.

• Stewart Gibb, CRA General Manager

NCEA reform: a turning point for literacy, numeracy and vocational pathways

For years, the NCEA system has been a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offered flexibility; on the other, it too often encouraged a ‘credit collection’ mentality. Students could pick and mix from a variety of standards to scrape together the credits they needed, without necessarily building the depth of skills required for life after school.

The result?

Employers across many industries, including automotive, have seen a steady decline in literacy and numeracy capabilities among school leavers and have been left to rectify the problem at a cost to their businesses.

Literacy and numbery isn’t just an academic problem, it’s an industry problem, a business problem, and ultimately an economic one. Without strong literacy and numeracy, even the most technically skilled trainee will struggle with essential workplace requirements like interpreting technical manuals, completing compliance paperwork, or understanding safety procedures. In sectors like automotive, where precision and safety are paramount, these gaps can have costly consequences.

Loretta.thompson@mta.org.nz

What’s new?

The proposed new NCEA structure offers a much-needed reset.

At its heart is the new Foundational Award for Year 11 secondary students, which will replace NCEA Level 1, This qualification will ensure that all students demonstrate core competencies in literacy and numeracy before moving on to higher levels of learning. It’s a move that signals a return to basics, recognising that these skills are not optional extras but are the very building blocks for success in both academic and vocational pathways.

Gateway has often been approached with the same ‘pickand-mix’ credit-gathering mindset, rather than reflecting a genuine interest in pursuing a career in the trade. Replacing NCEA Levels 2 and 3 will be the New Zealand Certificate in Education for Year 12 secondary students and the New Zealand Advanced Certificate in Education for Year 13 secondary students.

Equally exciting for our industry is the strengthened focus on vocational pathways. Under the proposed reforms, programmes for industries like automotive will be co-designed with industry.

often, vocational education has been treated as a fallback option rather than a first-choice career path. In reality, many people who start in a trade go on to become highly successful business owners, managers and innovators within their field.

This means that if a student expresses an interest in an automotive career, they could choose automotive as a study subject in Year 12 as part of the New Zealand Certificate of Education and continue in Year 13 under the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education. By the time they graduate and are ready to enter the workforce full time, they will already have developed meaningful, job-ready skills.

A game-changer

This is a game-changer for both students and employers. For students, it offers clarity, relevance, and motivation. They can see the connection between their schoolwork and their future career, which can keep them engaged in education for longer. For employers, it means apprentices arrive with a head start, reducing the time and cost required to get them up to speed and increasing their productivity from day one. The automotive industry has been advocating for this kind of structured, industry-aligned pathway for years. It recognises that trades should be valued equally alongside academic, university-bound routes. Too

The new reforms also represent a cultural shift. They acknowledge that education is not a onesize-fits-all journey, and that vocational pathways are every bit as important as academic pathways. They create a system in which students can graduate from school feeling confident, capable, and ready to take their next steps, whether that’s into tertiary study, apprenticeships, or directly into the workforce.

An opportunity

For the automotive sector, this is more than just an education

policy change, it’s an opportunity to address long-standing skill shortages, improve workforce readiness, and set the next generation up for success. By embedding industry input into the design of school programmes, we can ensure that what students learn is relevant, up to date, and aligned with the latest technologies and practices.

However, this opportunity will only be fully realised if it’s backed by the right resourcing. Schools will need support to deliver industry-informed programmes, and tertiary training providers will need funding to work closely with secondary schools and employers. Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will play a key role in ensuring vocational programmes meet industry standards, and they must be equipped with the resources to do this effectively.

The consultation process to date has shown that voices from the trades, and from automotive in particular, are being heard. The reforms are shaping up to create clear, consistent and valuable pathways for young people into our sector. But this is just the beginning. Industry, education providers, and government must now work together to make these changes a reality, ensuring that the system delivers on its promise of stronger skills, better readiness and brighter futures.

For automotive, the message is simple: this is our chance to help shape the next generation of skilled workers. If we get it right, the benefits will flow for decades to come, not just to our industry but to the young people whose careers and lives we help to launch.

WOF watch –key updates and reminders

Warrant of Fitness (WoF) matters are never far from the day-to-day operations of our industry. Over recent months a few significant developments have come to light, each serving as both an update and a reminder of our responsibilities as professionals in the transport sector.

Serious breach leads to jail term

In a case that highlights the importance of vigilance and compliance, an individual has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment following serious breaches of the land transport system. This person had been issuing WoFs without authorisation, despite having no formal training or qualifications, and no entitlement to operate within the NZTA inspection framework.

These fraudulent WoFs were issued without the vehicles ever entering the inspection premises, unbeknown to the business owner, who had not authorised the activity. This case is a strong reminder for all operators to regularly review who has access to the Vehicle Inspection and Certification (VIC) system and ensure internal procedures are robust.

While this incident is troubling,

NZTA was quick to acknowledge that the vast majority of inspectors and automotive professionals across New Zealand continue to uphold high standards. Their commitment to road safety and regulatory compliance should not be overshadowed by the actions of a few.

Inspection frequency changes from 1 September 2025

Changes have now come into effect regarding inspection frequency for certain vehicle categories. These changes are aimed at reducing the WoF and Certificate of Fitness (CoF) frequency for light vintage and veteran vehicles, as well as campers.

To support this, NZTA is introducing new inspection groups in the VIC system and LANDATA. Eligible vehicles are automatically updated within these systems. Here’s a quick breakdown of the definitions:

•Light vintage vehicles: Gross laden weight of 3,500kg or less, manufactured on or after 1 January 1919, and at least 40 years old at the time of registration, reregistration, or licensing.

•Light veteran vehicles: Gross laden weight of 3,500kg or less, and manufactured before

Glen.mcgarry@mta.org.nz

1 January 1919.

Motorcycles and campers can also see changes to their inspection groups, designed to better align inspection requirements with the risk profile and usage patterns of these vehicles.

Multi-factor authentication for VIC access

NZTA has also announced an upcoming security enhancement to the VIC system: multi-factor authentication (MFA). We've had several queries from members about what this means in practice, so here’s what we know so far.

MFA will only be required once per day – the first time you log into VIC. After that, your RealMe login will suffice for the remainder of that business day. Authentication codes will be sent either to a mobile phone or a designated landline.

Further details will be released by NZTA shortly, and we’ll continue to work closely with the agency to ensure the new process causes minimal disruption, particularly as we approach the busy preChristmas season. No one wants to be stuck at the login screen during the end-of-year rush.

2025 DealerDistributor relationship survey is coming

It’s that time again, MTA is inviting franchise dealers and, for the first time, motorcycle, moped and heavy vehicle dealers across New Zealand to take part in the Dealer-Distributor Relationship Index (DDRI).

Formerly known as the Dealer Attitude Survey (DAS), the DDRI was renamed in 2024 to better reflect its purpose: fostering constructive, confidential feedback between dealers and distributors. It’s a tool designed to strengthen relationships, identify areas for improvement, and support long-term success in the franchised automotive sectors.

What’s new in 2025?

This year marks a major step forward. The inclusion of motorcycle, moped and heavy vehicle dealers reflects the growing importance of these sectors and ensures their voices are heard. The 2025 DDRI also builds on last year’s enhancements, with new questions focused on Advanced Driver-Assist Systems (ADAS), now a mainstream feature. These questions explore how well distributors are supporting dealers with training, software and tooling for this evolving tech.

Larry.fallowfield@mta.org.nz

The DDRI isn’t about winners and losers. It’s a confidential, independent platform for honest feedback on key areas like communication, support, product availability, marketing, and aftersales service. By keeping core questions consistent yearon-year, the survey helps track trends and measure the impact of changes over time.

Importantly, results are not made public, they are only shared privately with participating dealers and circulated to all importers and manufacturers in New Zealand. This approach encourages openness and trust, allowing for genuine reflection and improvement.

Since 2023, the DDRI has been fully digital. The 2024 version introduced improvements like autosave, clearer navigation and better communication around its purpose. These refinements have laid the foundations for an even smoother experience in 2025.

The final report offers valuable insights into dealer perceptions and distributor engagement; it’s a great way to understand how your franchise compares with others and how to identify areas for discussion with your distributor.

Whether you’re a seasoned participant or new to the process, your feedback is vital. The DDRI is your chance to help shape the future of the industry and strengthen your relationship with your distributor.

If you haven’t taken the survey before and want to know what’s under the hood, you can request last year’s DDRI report. Flick me a message and I’ll send it your way, just this once. But remember, like handing over the keys to a V8 Supercar, don’t put it in the sand trap at turn 1, as there’s no such thing as a free ride, so in return, I expect you to hit the 2025 survey like its race day or, at the very least, give me feedback. Think of the survey as qualifying at Taupō Motorsport Park: if you want to be on the front row of the insights, you’ve got to put in a hot lap!

•Survey opens 9am, Wednesday, 1 October 2025

•Survey closes 11.59pm, Sunday, 16 November 2025

Keep an eye on your inbox as your unique survey link will be racing your way soon. When it arrives, go for the chequered flag and make sure your voice is heard in 2025.

Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund

The Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund (LEHVF) from EECA aims to increase the number of zero and low-emissions heavy vehicles on New Zealand’s roads, and provide market signals to manufacturers to encourage supply. MTA Heavy Vehicle member businesses are encouraged to read the following and review the EECA website for more information on the LEHVF objectives and eligibility criteria.

How the fund works

Heavy vehicles make up less than 5 percent of New Zealand's vehicle fleet, but account for roughly a quarter of road transport emissions. High upfront costs and the unknown total cost of ownership are the main barriers to the private sector's uptake of zero and low-emissions heavy vehicles.

The LEHVF aims to offset these barriers by providing grants of up to 25 percent of the purchase price of a new low or zero-emissions heavy vehicle, or 25 percent of the cost to convert an existing internal combustion engine (ICE) heavy vehicle to be powered by approved low-emissions technologies.

Eligibility

•All New Zealand-based and New Zealand-registered legal entities, including state-owned enterprises, local councils and regional councils.

•Public service departments, nonpublic service departments (such as the New Zealand Defence Force) and statutory Crown entities are NOT eligible.

Mathew.alderdice@mta.org.nz

•Only the vehicles, suppliers and converters listed on the EECA webpage are approved for funding.

Webpage link here: www.eeca. govt.nz/co-funding-and-support/ products/low-emissions-heavyvehicle-fund

LEHVF grants pay for:

•up to 25 percent of the purchase price (retail) of new zero-emissions vehicles (battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric)

•up to 25 percent of the conversion cost of existing ICE vehicles, to be

converted to a zero-emissions vehicle (battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric)

•up to 25 percent of the conversion cost of existing ICE vehicles to run on low-emissions technologies (hydrogen-diesel dual fuel, plug-in diesel-electric hybrid)

•up to 25 percent of the purchase price (retail) of new low-emission vehicles (plug-in diesel-electric hybrid, hydrogen-diesel dual fuel).

LEHVF update 2025

A scheduled review of the LEHVF took

place in February 2025 to assess how the fund was performing against its objectives. EECA’s recommendations for improving the fund’s performance were accepted by the Minister for Energy in May 2025.

The changes are listed below in full, as well as in the Invitation to Register (ITR) which must now be used for all applications. No other material changes have been made to eligibility criteria.

Changes apply from 28 May 2025: LEHVF suppliers and vehicles approved before 28 May 2025 remain approved.

•Expanded criteria for eligible conversions: vehicles must have been registered in New Zealand for the first time within five years of applying for inclusion on LEHVF ‘approved list’, rather than between August 2022 and August 2024.

•Increased grant levels for zeroemission conversions, new hybrid vehicles and hybrid conversions.

•Wording altered to ‘New Zealand registered company OR a company registered to do business in New Zealand’.

•‘Off-road and heavy equipment

vehicles’ are now defined as ‘vehicles which cannot exceed 70km/h’. These are not eligible for LEHVF grants.

Expanded vehicle weight categories:

•‘Light’ category covers vehicles over 5.9 tonne gross vehicle mass (GVM) to 12 tonne GVM.

•‘Medium’ category covers vehicles over 12 tonne GVM and up to 39 tonnes Gross Combined Mass (GCM).

•‘Heavy’ category covers vehicles over 12 tonne GVM and above 39 tonne GCM.

These expanded weight categories apply to both the new purchases and conversions.

Note: funding caps per supplier and customer remain the same for financial year 2025/26.

Other eligibility criteria

Grants

•Vehicle operators wishing to purchase an LEHVF-funded vehicle must choose a model from the approved list.

•Grants remain capped at $4 million per vehicle importer/supplier and $1 million per vehicle operator (ex. GST).

Vehicles

•All vehicles must have a GVM of 5.9 tonnes or more. (EECA will use manufacturer-provided GCM.)

•Grants apply to the cost of the cab chassis only, excluding bodywork.

•Existing ICE vehicles to be converted to low or zero-emissions technologies must have been registered in New Zealand for the first time within five years of applying for inclusion on LEHVF 'approved' list, whether they have had a single owner or multiple owners.

•Public transport buses are excluded, but other buses and coaches meeting weight requirements are eligible.

MTA encourages heavy vehicle businesses to consider if the government funding from EECA could be applied to their fleet. If you would like to discuss the LEHVF further, please contact Sector Manager Energy and Heavy Vehicles Mathew Alderdice.

•There are also capped maximums on funding for each vehicle category, depending on gross vehicle mass (GVM) and vehicle class. These categories are based on licensing and energy usage.

Motor vehicle lender penalised in landmark case

In a landmark ruling that underscores the growing scrutiny on motor vehicle finance providers, Wellington-based car dealer and lender El Cheapo Cars has been fined $115,000 and ordered to pay $341,931.46 in compensation after pleading guilty to seven charges under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA).

The sentence was handed down in the Porirua District Court, following a Commerce Commission investigation into the company’s failure to meet its legal obligations when providing loan variations to customers between 2015 and 2021.

The charges stemmed from El Cheapo Cars’ failure to provide borrowers with required variation disclosure information, a fundamental legal safeguard intended to help consumers understand changes to their credit agreements.

Serious breaches of consumer protections

In sentencing, Judge Sainsbury stressed the seriousness of the breaches, stating that “disclosure

david.wilce@mta.org.nz

New vehicles

The total new passenger (PV) and commercial vehicle (CV) market recorded 11,736 unit registrations in August 2025, up by 69 units versus July 2025 and 1,750 units on August 2024 to see the combined sectors up by 5.8 percent or 4,768 units versus year-to-date (YTD) in 2024. PV was the big driver behind the upward swing, with a 7,081 unit increase or up 13.3 percent on 2024. The sector was also up by 455 units on July, which is a 6 percent increase and 1,327 or 19.6 percent above August 2024 to finish the month with 8,088 units.

obligations are among the most fundamental protections under the CCCFA,” and that compliance is critical to ensuring consumers are aware of their rights and obligations.

The case was brought to light following a customer complaint in October 2021, prompting an investigation by the Commerce Commission.

Hundreds

of consumers affected

The financial penalties come as the Commission confirmed that hundreds of borrowers may be eligible for compensation. The affected consumers had loans with El Cheapo Cars that were varied during the six-year period under investigation. The Commission has said it will be contacting those affected.

Vanessa Horne, General Manager for Competition, Fair Trading and Credit at the Commission, emphasised the broader significance of the ruling.

“One of the Commission’s enforcement priorities is to take action where we consider motor vehicle finance lenders have not

met their obligations under the CCCFA," she says.

“We are particularly focussed on motor vehicle lenders who are providing credit to vulnerable consumers.”

“For many Kiwis, purchasing a car is one of the biggest financial commitments they will make. This ruling is a strong signal to the motor vehicle finance industry that noncompliance with the law will not be tolerated.”

A warning to the industry

This case is part of a broader regulatory crackdown. The Commission has also filed civil proceedings in the High Court against Go Car Finance and Second Chance Finance over similar alleged breaches of the CCCFA.

The CCCFA is designed to protect consumers when borrowing money or purchasing goods on credit, with a particular focus on transparency and fair treatment. Lenders are required to provide clear and timely information about loan terms, including any changes made during the life of the loan.

In the CV registrations space, 3,648 units was a drop of 9.6 percent or 386 units on July, albeit up on August 2024

by 13.1 percent and 423 units. The sector is closing the gap on last year, the current YTD now below the double figure percentage to finish behind LYTD by 8 percent or 2,313 units.

Toyota, Ford and Mitsubishi all had an outstanding month, with a combined unit increase of 989 versus July 2025. Toyota Rav4, Ford Ranger and the Hilux continue to trade places at the top of the brand category, a 446-units increase for the Rav4 over that in July, while the Hilux dropped by 123 units and the Ranger finished up by 140 unit registrations. Further down the field, the Kia Tasman ute increased registrations to 108 for August, up 29 on July 2025, while the BYD Shark6 dropped 148 units from July’s 256 units to 49 in August 2025.

Chinese-manufactured vehicles held third in the country-oforigin category, with 1,366 units or 11.6 percent, while Japan and Thailand held one and two respectively with 36.5 and 23.9 percent or 4,285 and 2,810 units. Of the 25 Chinesemanufactured brands sold in August 2025, MG, GWM, LDV, BYD and Chery all had triple-figure registrations to total 958 units and just over 70 percent of all the Chinese vehicles registered. August 2025 also saw 67.2 percent of new vehicles registered to companies.

New Vehicle Motive Power

August 2025 continued the mirroring theme, albeit with a slight 1.1 percent increase over last month.

The combined PV and CV sectors are still tracking behind last-year-to-date (LYTD) by 13,445 units or 18.3 percent. August 2025 was the secondlargest trading month in 2025 with 7,824 units being registered, a drop of 573 on July and down 841 units on August 2024. If the current monthly average can be achieved over the remaining four trading months of 2025, then the sector could pull back to finish about 13 percent behind LY, 5 percent better than the current YTD of 18.3 percent.

Currently YTD there have been 11,792 fewer PV registrations or a 17 percent decrease over 2024. The month was down 702 units on August 2024 and 584 units on July 2025.

Down 1,653 units or 38 percent YTD, CV registrations in August 2025 totalled 345, an increase of 11 units on July 2025, and down 139 units on August 2024.

Toyota, Mazda and Nissan all made the triplefigure registration sales for the month of July with 5,146 of the month’s registrations or 65.8 percent of the total 7,824 units.

The top 10 brands dominated the registrations with 93 percent and 7,285 of the total registrations in August 2025.

Toyota Aqua, Prius and Corolla continued to dominate the podium with 22.6 percent and 1,771 unit registrations. The top 15 brands account for 4,371 units or nearly 60 percents of all brands sold in August.

Japan controlled 88 percent of all imports, with Germany in second on 8 precent, and the United Kingdom with 1.2 percent and 6,915, 626 and 95 units respectively for the month. Another non-surprise is that nearly 82 percent of the registrations were to individuals.

Used Vehicle Motive Power

Used Vehicle Market Passenger and Commercial - August 2025

Top 10 Used Import Brands - August 2025

Motorcycles and scooters

August 2025 continued to mirror the prior three months of upward swing, albeit soft compared with last year. The new road motorcycle and scooter market for August 2025 had a combined 586 unit registrations to record the fourth-highest trading month in 2025, up 95 units or 19 percent on July and down 69 units on August 2024.

Year-to-date registrations are down 587 units or 11.5 percent.

Only 54 registrations made it to the road in the 60cc-scooter class, down from July’s 70 units, while in the over60cc-motorcycle class, an impressive 111-unit increase took the August total to 532 units.

Honda dominated the tarmac with 117 units and 20 percent of the month’s registrations, holding the top run on the podium for the month of August, nearly double the units of the number two and three on the leader board.

KTM, Suzuki and Yamaha rounded out the top four with only 0.7 percent separating them.

There were 219 units registered or 37.4 percent. Registration came via the top 12 models, which all made double figures for the month.

Top 15 Used Import Models - August 2025

With a combined 20 percent, the top four models for August 2025

2025

of the KTM 390, Honda CT range, CFMOTO MT450 and the Forza Ciclone represented 117 unit registrations.

60.9 percent of the motorcycle and scooter registered came from manufacturing sites in Thailand, India and China, 24.9 percent (146 units), 18.6 percent (109 units) and 17.4 percent (102 units) respectively.

Used imported motorcycles and scooters combined for August 2025 totalled 72, up 11 units on last month, albeit down 21 units on August 2024 to have 17 scooters and 55 motorcycle registrations.

Three Harley Davidson Softail Low Rider STs hit the road in August.

Motor Garage Limited

AKAROA

We are a small team in a busy, rural but wellequipped workshop looking for an automotive technician. You will preferably have your WOF authority but, if not, a willingness and eligibility to get it is essential. You will: - Have previous experience working in a workshop environment. A competitive hourly rate based on skills and experience - $28$34 per hour Full time role - Minimum of 30 hours per week. Contact Phone: 021439834. Email applicants should go to: akaroamotorgarage@xtra.co.nz

Auto Electrician

CANTERBURY KAIAPOI

We are seeking a fully qualified, full-time auto electrician to join our team. To be considered, applicants must have New Zealand residency or a valid NZ work visa and currently reside in New Zealand. The ideal candidate will have: Experience with diagnostic equipment , a full driver’s license, at least four years of experience in the trade and the ability to work unsupervised. As this role involves our mobile service covering North Canterbury. In addition to technical skills, we are looking for someone who is reliable, honest, friendly, and able to work well in a small team. If you meet these requirements, please send your CV to admin@kae.nz. Contact Phone: 0226829791 Email applicants should go to: admin@kae.nz

Automotive Technician

CHRISTCHURCH

Automotive technician/WOF inspector. We are looking for a qualified automotive technician with WoF Authority to join our small team at Maxi Auto Services LTD. Diagnosing problems using diagnostic tools, carrying out WoF inspection, servicing and mechanical repairs. Great communication skills and ability to work without supervision. Full New Zealand’s driver’s license is essential and NZ Residency. Email CV to maxiautoservices@gmail.com

Summit 4WD Ltd

CHRISTCHURCH

Full time Automotive Technician. We are a wellestablished, privately owned and centrally located workshop. We can offer an excellent, supportive team environment. Skills Required • Fully qualified mechanic • Current WOF authority is an advantage • At least five years’ experience in repairs and servicing • Confident in diagnostics • Fast problem-solving skills • Excellent time management skills. Applications for this position must be a NZ resident or have a valid NZ work visa. Email applications to admin@summitautomotive. co.nz

WoF Inspector

DUNEDIN

Opportunity for a qualified/experienced Automotive Technician to join our friendly team in our busy Dunedin workshop. WoF Certified preferred but would be happy to help you get qualified. Competitive remuneration. Contact Garry 0274 545 040 or email: bgapplegarth@xtra.co.nz.

Heavy Diesel Automotive Tech

GREYMOUTH

At Doug Thomson Mechanical Ltd, we are looking for someone with the following qualities: -Have a broad range of knowledge with servicing and repairs to most heavy vehicles - Be able to complete tasks to a high standard in a timely manner - Be confident with a scan tool or be open to learning - A solid work ethic, reliable and punctual -Self motivated and the ability to work unsupervised - A full drivers license including Classes 2-5 or the ability to gain them. - Looking for a qualified or nearly qualified heavy diesel automotive technician. Contact Phone: 027 361 7570 Email applicants should go to: office@dtmechanical.co.nz

Bel Automotive Geraldine Ltd

GERALDINE

BEL Automotive Geraldine is on the lookout for either a keen apprentice or a qualified automotive technician to join our small, friendly, and communityfocused workshop. A current restricted or full NZ driver’s licence You must be eligible to work in New Zealand and able to pass a pre-employment drug

test How to Apply: Send your CV and a short cover letter telling us about yourself to; BEL Automotive Geraldine 13 Peel Street Geraldine. Contact Phone: 03 6939664. Email applicants should go to: belautomotiveltd@gmail.com

Autoworx GORE

We’re on the lookout for a qualified mechanic to join our small, friendly team in Gore.What we are looking for is a qualified mechanic with a passion for diagnostics, repairs, and maintenance with a WOF authority, or willing to obtain it (we’ll support the right person to get there).We offer: • Competitive pay based on experience , ongoing training and support (including WOF certification if needed. Apply now or get in touch for a confidential chat. Contact Phone: 032087462. Email applicants should go to: autoworx@xtra.co.nz

The Car Company (HB) Ltd HASTINGS

Sales Executive - Hastings Kia. Join a leading Platinum Status Kia Dealership in Hastings as a Sales Executive. We are looking for a motivated sales professional to promote Kia’s innovative product range including the New Kia Tasman Ute to the Hawke’s Bay region. About You: Proven experience in automotive dealership or fleet sales (LV and Ute experience a strong advantage), strong business development and networking skills. Phone: 0212 892898. Email applicants should go to: mark@ thecarcompany.co.nz

Qualified Automotive Technician w current WOF ticket KAIAPOI

We are looking for a team player that wants to join our fantastic team here in Kaiapoi. We are wanting someone who works well in a team environment, someone that takes pride in their work and is comfortable reaching out for assistance when needed. This person will also need to be confident in their ability to compete repairs to a very high standard and give our customers the best customer service in town. We are looking for someone who is reliable, honest and Friedly while also being very driven and likes to take pride in the repairs they send out the door. A range of tasks are on offer so if you would like to know anything further please email a copy of your CV and a list of questions through to casey@ rivertownauto.co.nz A full drivers license is a must.

Job type: Full Time Contact Phone: 0211801705

Mechanic

KUMEU, RODNEY

Small busy workshop seeking a mechanic with recognised qualification. WoF authority a bonus. Great communication skills and ability to work under pressure. Email Mike: admin@manukaautomotive.co.nz.

Drivewire Auto Electrical

KINLEITH

We’re looking for a qualified auto electrician to join our team. We are a well-established business operating from our workshop at Kinleith in the Central North Island. Our core business is commercial auto electrical in the forestry, industrial, agricultural and transport industries. What you need to apply: be eligible to work in New Zealand. Hold as a minimum Trade Certificate, National Certificate, or Level Four in Automotive Electrical. Phone: 078865151 Email: admin@drivewire.co.nz

Qualified Technician

KAIKOHE

At Petersen Motors we are seeking a qualified technician to join our team. This will be a full-time position. WoF ticket certification is a bonus but not necessary, so long as the applicant is capable and willing to get it. Email applicants should send their CV to: p.motors2024@gmail.com

Petersen Motors 2024 Limited

KAIKOHE

Office Admin Staff. Seeking a keen person to join my office team. Must be customer driven, have a good sense of humour, have good phone manners and computer literacy. Also be willing to learn more in the

role. Full time and/or Part time role. Email applicants should go to: Accounts@ petersenmotors2024.co.nz

Petersen Motors 2024 Limited KAIKOHE

We are seeking a qualified mechanic/technician to join our team. WoF certified preferred but not required, as long as able and willing to get it. Job type: Full Time. Email applicants should go to: accounts@petersenmotors2024.co.nz

Auto Electrician

MATAMATA

Onsite Auto Electrical Matamata are looking for a qualified auto electrician to join our team. We work on a variety of vehicles both in our workshop and onsite.Email office@onsiteae.co.nz or 078887579

Automotive Technician MANUKA

We are looking for a qualified Automotive Technician for our busy workshop located in Manuka City, AutoKing. WOF ticket and auto electrical knowledge would be a bonus. Monday to Friday only, day off for your birthday and competitive hourly rate. If this sounds like you, please email your CV to: workshop@autoking.co.nz Email applicants should go to: workshop@autoking.co.nz

Auto Electrician MOTUEKA

Burnett Auto Electrical, Motueka’s longest established Auto Electrical workshop, is seeking a fully qualified auto electrician or 3rd year apprentice to join our busy team. Between $35 and upwards 40hour work weeks with overtime opportunities (overtime rates apply). A company vehicle will be offered to suitable applicant. Responsibilities will be diagnosing and repairing electrical faults and computer-controlled systems used in automotive technology such as private, commercial, and industrial vehicles. Contact Phone: 035289218. Email applicants should go to: admin@burnett.nz

Vehicle Service Centre

MOUNT MAUNGANUI

WoF inspector / Automotive Technician. Your role will be to carry out WoF inspections and general mechanical repairs and maintenance on all makes and models. We have a modern workshop with up-to-date tools and equipment. We are open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, closed on weekends. We close on public holidays and closed for 2 weeks over Christmas/New year. We would love to meet you! Contact Phone: 07 575 8604. Email applicants should go to: reception@vehicleservicecentre.co.nz

Qualified Mechanic

MAYFIELD

We offer Immediate start Negotiable flexible hours for the right candidate Supportive work environment to ensure success in your role! Experience in: Petrol & Diesel engines diagnostics problem solving & repairs. Customer service and communication skills. Knowledge of safety procedures and guidelines. Commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Vehicle inspector certificate for WOF. A valid driver’s license (full preferred). Strong Knowledge of a wide range of car makes and models. Phone: 0274367215. Email applicants should go to: ansarsahib61@gmail.com

Automotive technician

RANFURLY

We are looking for an experienced Automotive Technician for our busy workshop in Ranfurly Central Otago, Auto Super Shoppe Ranfurly. Starting date July/August or earlier if required. You will need a minimum Trade Certificate, National Certificate or level 4 in Automotive Engineering on the National Framework or equivalent experience and time served.A full driver’s licence and ability to drive manual vehicles.Preferably hold a current Warrant of Fitness Certificate of Appointment, or be prepared and able to obtain this.Be a strong team player, confident working alone and with a team *Have an adequate tool kit to perform required duties *Have strong customer service *New Zealand Residency or

work permit. FUll Time. Contact Phone: 021324671 or 034449365. Email applicants should go to: cjsinclair.ranfurly@xtra.co.nz

Experienced Mechanic TAIHAPE

Please email us for further information bellsdieseltruckandtractor@gmail.com or call 027 332 2471

2x Qualified Auto-Electricians

TASMAN / NELSON

Our work is interesting and varied, servicing –retail, commercial and industrial clients. Work can be in our workshop or out in the field. Join our fun dynamic team! Contact Dawn on 027 432 3171 Email: sales@auto-electrical.co.nz

Automotive technician TAURANGA

Welcome to Automotivated - we are a busy Automotive workshop in sunny B.O.P Tauranga. Looking for a motivated full time technician to join our team, We specialize in fleet servicing all vehicle make/model repairs/wof s MTA approved all the latest workshop/equipment and diagnostic scan tools, preferable WOF authorized or able to achieve authority, possibility to grow within role. Job type: Full Time - Contact Phone: 0275710548.Email applicants should go to: admin@automotivated.co.nz

Automotivated

TAURANGA

We are a busy central city workshop looking for a experienced qualified mechanic to join our Team, preferably you will be WOF certified or willing to become certified - we pay well for high performance along with negotiable benefits. Please call to discuss further, Guido 0275710548. Contact Phone: 0275710548. Email applicants should go to: admin@automotivated.co.nz

Automotive tech/WoF Inspector

TE AROHA

Immediate start. Qualified or equivalent experience and WoF authority are required. We offer excellent working conditions. Please email CV to: service@summitmotors.co.nz or call Garth on 021511911.

Qualified Mechanic TE AROHA

We are seeking an automotive mechanic with their WOF ticket. Job includes, WOF tests, diagnostics, assessments, repairs and servicing on a variety of vehicles. Maintaining accurate records. Ability to work independently. Must be currently living in, and legally allowed to work in New Zealand. Must have a current and full NZ driver licence. Option to be on call out roster. Contact AgPlus Ltd 28-32 Lawrence Avenue, Te Aroha, 3320. admin@agplus.co.nz 07 8849901.

Automotive Technician

TE PUKE

Cavanagh Motors Ltd Te Puke Workshop. Must have a current WOF Inspectors authority, have the ability to work unsupervised, diagnose technical and electronic issues in passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, with the ability to guide and train junior technicians when called upon to do so. Applicants must be capable of adapting to servicing not only the Mitsubishi vehicles we specialise in but also the many and varied makes and models our workshop handles. If you are motivated, adaptable, professional, knowledgeable, tidy with work habits, great customer skills, holds a full and current class 1 drivers licence, no criminal convictions, and are a team player, then we would love to hear from you. English language must be Excellent. Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa. Contact Phone: 075736303

Email applicants should go to: admin@cavanaghmotors.co.nz

Automotive Technician TE PUNA, TAURANGA

Seeking qualified mechanic for full time or job share role in busy, well established workshop. Email Adrian: service@tepunamotors.co.nz

Mechanical & Tyres Mechanic TRENTHAM

Full + part-time positions available at busy Upper Hutt workshop. Applicants will need to be mechanically qualified, preferably with AVI authority (but not essential). We are looking for team members capable of mechanical & autoelectrical repairs, tyre fitting, etc, with a positive, enthusiastic attitude who can work in a team & also independently. For more information email tmt. trentham@gmail.com or call Jason on 021 1610838. Contact Phone: 0211610838

Email applicants should go to: tmt.trentham@gmail.com

Blackwood Yamaha Mechanic WAIKATO

We are looking for a mechanic to join our team at Blackwood Yamaha in the mighty Waikato!If you are motivated, can work as part of a team as well as independently, we want you to come and join us. We work Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm and rostered Saturday mornings. Strong knowledge of motorcycle mechanics and electronics. You will need to have a full NZ Driver’s Licence and Motorcycle class 6 Licence or be willing to get one.

Contact Phone: 07 8277066

Email applicants should go to: accounts@blackwoodyamaha.co.nz

Automotivation WANAKA

Experienced Automotive Technician Wanted in Wanaka. WoF Authority preferred but not required Current Full NZ Drivers License or equivalent. Have basic computer skills Enthusiastic and reliable. 3 years or more years' experience preferred. Willing to be put through WOF Inspectors Course *Be a NZ resident or Have NZ Residency/Work Visa. *Applicants Living or Working in NZ NEED ONLY Apply. Contact Phone: 034436586

Email applicants: glengyleauto@xtra.co.nz

Yamaha Motorcycle Technician

WAIKATO

Join our team at Blackwood Yamaha in the mighty Waikato! Excellent customer service and communication skills both written and verbal. A full NZ Driver’s Licence and Motorcycle class 6 Licence (or willing to get one) A competitive pay will be based depending on your skills and experience. We also offer other staff benefits. Phone: 07 827 7066 Email applicants should go to: sales@blackwoodyamaha.co.nz

Senior mechanic/ diagnostician WAIPU

WeareonthehuntforanExperienced/Intermediate mechanic to carry out vehicle and Trailer WOF inspections. Service, repair work and diagnostics on all makes and models of vehicles. No two days are the same. The ideal candidate must have a WOF inspection certificate ,4 or more years experience and a level 4 Certificate in Automotive Engineering. Adapting to paperless job cards through MechanicDesk and basic computer skills is essential; An excellent knowledge of vehicles of all makes and models, In particular, European vehicle knowledge would be beneficial. Please note: this is not a trainee or apprenticeship position. Good hours Monday to Friday 8:00 to 4:30. Car-pooling available from Whangarei. Contact Phone: 09 4320301 Email applicants should go to: accounts@waipumotors.com

Mechanic & WOF Inspector WHANGANUI

Experienced mechanic wanted Full Time, MondayFriday. Fun, friendly team working in busy Rural Garage on all automotive/ farm machinery & equipment. Contact Ross 06 342 7827 or email fordellgarage@inspire.net.nz

Oakleigh Automotive WHANGAREI

Automotive Technician. We a looking for an automotive technician to join our small team in a busy workshop 15mins South of Whangarei. You will preferably have your WOF authority but, if not, a willingness and eligibility to get it is essential. We do everything from Wofs, General Repairs, Brakes,

Suspension, Servicing, Welding, Air Conditioning, Electrical. Contact Phone: 094322636 Email applicants should go to: info@ oakleighautomotive.co.nz

Auto electrician

WHANGAREI

Bindon Auto is a specialist Auto Electrical workshop located in central. We work on a large variety of vehicles and equipment including Passenger, transport, forestry, recreational and Marine. We are a fun team of 8 with a high level of expertise. Must be Trade certified automotive electrical engineer with experience in the commercial sector. Current New Zealand Drivers license Experience with Air Conditioning an advantage. Excellent remuneration with tool allowance and overtime paid.

Neil's Auto Centre

WAIUKU

Family business based in Waiuku, competitive rates paid to suitable candidate fulltime permanent position. A minimum of 2 plus years out of apprenticeship, varied experience with good references. A WOF certification qualification a bonus. Hours are Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm and some Saturday mornings as work load requires. You must be living in and have the legal right to work in NZ apply. Email applicants should go to: neilsautos@xtra.co.nz

Motorcycle Mechanic WHAKATANE, BAY OF PLENTY

Underwood and Wilkins' is seeking a talented Motorcycle Mechanic to join our team in Whakatane, Bay of Plenty. What you'll be doing Carrying out routine maintenance and servicing on motorcycles and other automotive vehicles (Side by sides, ATV's etc) .We're looking for Relevant qualifications in motorcycle or automotive mechanics Minimum 3 years' experience as a qualified motorcycle/automotive mechanic. We will potentially look at nearly qualified or a journeyman (experience but no formal MC qualifications). Job type: Full Time. Contact Phone: 073086166. Email applicants should go to: admin@underwoodandwilkins.co.nz Diesel mechanic

WYNDHAM

Enthusiastic diesel injection technician with common rail experience to join a thriving rural garage with a fully equipped diesel fuel injection facility. Generous package to reflect experience, with possibility for future investment into the business. Email: redbarron222@gmail.com or phone 0272 417 614

Businesses for sale

Automotive Workshop NORTHSHORE (OREWA Retirement Looms. Prime location/Long established business. 3 Bays 2x2 post Hoist, 1x4 post Hoist Wofs,Tyres,Batteries. P: 09 4265783 M:021 022 45219. E: orewa.auto2016@gmail.com

Services

VIRM In-Service Certification Questionnaire pack

Training resource for prospective and current VIs. 14 questionnaires, marking and certificate of completion. Contact Fliss, Business Systems Sorted. Phone: 022 151 1243. Email: fliss@businesssystemssorted.co.nz. www.businesssystemssorted.co.nz. Need some help?

Simple, personalised H&S system, documented policies and procedures, hazsub inventories and office optimisation service - clearing the clutter! Contact Fliss, Business Systems Sorted022 151 1243. Email: fliss@businesssystemssorted.co.nz. www.businesssystemssorted.co.nz.

Andrea Andrew WoF Consultant

2025 MTA Board of Directors: Andrea Andrew, Jason Land, Grant Woolford, Sturrock Saunders (President), Ross Verry, Rob Braun, Joris Sanders.

UPPER

NORTH ISLAND

MIKE BURD Team Leader 027 539 4010 mike.burd@mta.org.nz

SOUTH AUCKLAND

MARK MOWBRAY 027 270 2665 mark.mowbray@mta.org.nz

LOWER NORTH ISLAND & UPPER SOUTH ISLAND

DANNY GARRICK 027 478 0593 danny.garrick@mta.org.nz

CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND

NICK MILLS 027 2099 494 nick.mills@mta.org.nz

LOWER SOUTH ISLAND

SHELLEY CARTER 027 497 1568 shelley.carter@mta.org.nz

MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT

Member support team: 0800 00 11 44 mta@mta.org.nz

We encourage all members to attend the training courses, professional development opportunities or networking events taking place in their areas. Our region coordinators will let you know what’s on and when. They are also keen to hear your ideas for other training or get-togethers that you’d like to take part in.

The more you get involved, the more you can benefit from membership. Just contact your coordinator to check the dates of the meetings in your region.

KAIMAI

Kim Preston Regional Events Coordinator Team Leader 027 280 0707 kim.preston@mta.org.nz

CENTRAL WEST

natalie.campbell@mta.org.nz

SOUTHERN MAINLAND

Katrina Garrett Region Coordinator 021 225 5528 katrina.garrett@mta.org.nz

NORTHERN REGION

Amy Lai Region Coordinator 021 292 7652 amy.lai@mta.org.nz

EASTLAND

natalie.campbell@mta.org.nz

Shannon Morbey Region Coordinator 021 031 0075 shannon.morbey@mta.org.nz

Region Coordinator 021 152 8232 jody.worsfold@mta.org.nz

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