Radiator - August 2023

Contents - August 2023

Member Profile

Where

Vehicle review

2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

LVVTA

Breathing through a straw

Radiator Production Editor Peter Woodcock 021 100 2405 peter.woodcock@mta.org.nz

Radiator Editor Gerald Rillstone 027 252 3229 gerald.rillstone@mta.org.nz

Advertising enquiries 0800 00 11 44 advertising.radiator@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 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.

EAP phone 0800 327 669 any time

Confidential and free to all MTA members and their families plus your staff and their families.

Select 2 (or 9 for an emergency). Tell them you are an MTA member.

Scales tipping in favour of EVs

The makeup of the national fleet is changing rapidly as electric vehicles, hybrid and plug-in-hybrid technology becomes more prolific.

June saw another hurrah for new vehicle sales as changes to the Clean Car Standard were phased in, and changes to the Clean Car Discount took effect. Broadly speaking, the intention of these schemes has been to speed up the adoption of vehicles with lower carbon emissions, while simultaneously slowing down the uptake of vehicles at the highemitting end of the spectrum.

As a nation we currently run in excess of three million light vehicles, yet we register into the country as either genuinely new or usedimport - under a quarter of a million vehicles per year. This means that although the adoption of electrified vehicles becomes exponential, any technological tail, with our current average fleet age of approaching 15 years, will be long.

Save significant regulatory change, it seems likely that combustion engine vehicles will be around for a few decades to come. But herein lies a trap that many automotive repair and maintenance businesses would do well to consider. Ask yourself, have you considered how an electrifying fleet will change what is required of you and your business?

Much is written of Kodak – once a camera company with a near monopoly on film manufacturing. In the greatest of ironies, they invented the digital camera in the mid-70s, yet wouldn’t adjust their business to suit the changing market for fear of losing film sales. Ultimately, the business failed and Kodak was consigned to history.

As the market moved to digital

photography Kodak was left behind. You could read a similar story about Blockbuster Video and their failure to embrace online streaming, though if you want to read about either in more depth, Google is your friend and I won’t attempt to recount those stories here.

At MTA, our members ‘fix, fuel, repair and maintain’ the country’s fleet of vehicles. We collectively ‘keep New Zealand moving’, but we are at a moment in history where the way in which those vehicles move is changing. Electricity is replacing oil and, whether we like it or not, with every major vehicle manufacturer in the world having committed to a solely electric fleet on one timescale or another, the future is undeniably electric.

Change required

Consequently, what is required of the automotive sector will change through time. EVs require less maintenance, but they are not maintenance free. Our global love affair with private vehicle ownership seems to have long legs yet, but every year that passes there will be a few more EVs on the road and a few less ICE vehicles. While the parallels between the small number of producers in film manufacture, the near monopoly of video rental, and our automotive sector with thousands of small and independent businesses are fairly slim, what we do have in common is circumstance. Technology is changing.

Just because Kodak didn’t like the commercial viability of digital

photography, it didn’t go away. Just because Blockbuster couldn’t see the commercial viability of online streaming, it didn’t go away. And just because there is less to repair and maintain with electric vehicles, they won’t go away either. Every week I’m fortunate to speak with a variety of our members working across different sectors and in different parts of the country. It’s evident that some have an eye on the future, but unfortunate that many more are preoccupied thinking about the next few weeks.

Remain relevant

I would encourage all of you to have a good long think about how your business will need to change to remain relevant through the next decade and beyond. How confident are you that you know what you’re doing with that BYD Atto, Audi e-tron, Tesla Model Y, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or Nissan NV200? Not big enough to worry about? A problem for tomorrow? Someone else’s problem?

EVs may be a fringe product now, but the scales are tipping at a rate that will only increase. And if you don’t adjust your business, I promise the opportunity won’t go away. It will simply be swallowed up by another business or even worse, a new entrant that can see the opportunity you are leaving open. Right now it would appear the door is open in our industry. My suggestion to all of you is... fill that space. Take the opportunity. Because if you don’t someone else will!

Your chance to grill the politicians!

The election buzz is building and we’ve got a great event coming up that we want members to get involved in.

MTA is hosting a political debate on 23 August – and it’s your chance to put the parties on the spot. The Transport spokespeople for the four main parties are taking part, to outline their policies and plans for the automotive sector.

They will face a grilling from a moderator who will be putting some tough questions to them. That’s where you come in.

We want to hear from members who have a question they want put to the politicians.

You might have strong thoughts around:

• Clean Car Programme

• Warrant of Fitness

• Road to Zero

• Road maintenance

• The automotive workforce

• Another industry issue.

This is your chance to get your answer!

Email your question to simon.bradwell@mta.org.nz before 16 August and it’ll go in the mix to be asked on the night.

The MPs attending are:

• National Party Transport spokesperson

Simeon Brown

• Green Party Transport spokesperson

Julie Anne Genter

• ACT Transport Party spokesperson Simon Court

• Labour Party MP Helen White

• All members are invited to attend the event at the Wellington Club. If you think you might like to attend, please email mta@mta.org.nz.

There will also be a live stream of the event on our YouTube channel. More details will be provided closer to the event - keep an eye on the Friday email.

It’s the second major event held by MTA this election year, following the launch of Driving New Zealand Forward, MTA’s call to action to political parties.

Green Party Transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter will be taking part in MTA’s political debate.

MP’s tour of workshop floor

National Party Transport Spokesperson Simeon Brown visited MTA member business Auckland Panel and Paint last month to gain more understanding of the industry and the current issues it is facing. Business owner and MTA

President Bob Boniface gave Brown the full tour from the workshop floor to the paint booth and mixing room. With many of the skilled staff at the business being new migrants, it provided a great illustration of the challenge business

owners face in finding the skilled employees they need to continue operating. The visit also gave MTA CEO Lee Marshall and Advocacy and Stakeholder Manager Brian Anderton an opportunity to discuss and highlight the current

MTA President Bob Boniface with National Party Transport Spokesperson Simeon Brown.

MTA Chief Executive chats with Simeon Brown.

challenges in the industry with Brown.

The number of new migrants at the business and in the industry came as no surprise, Brown said, considering the difficulties employers have had finding staff since the borders reopened following Covid-19.

“It’s great to see that individuals from various parts of the world can arrive in New Zealand and make meaningful contributions to our economy, especially within the transport sector,” Brown said.

“I know that many businesses have been struggling to attain skilled workers, so it is always great to see immigrants choose to make New Zealand their home while helping our businesses operate and provide for the country.”

With the complexity of the national fleet growing year on year, and a broader range of technology involved in both the make-up of vehicles and the repair of them, he says he’s keen to see businesses supported to keep up with the changes.

“Ensuring that workers are upskilled to deal with the new innovative technologies that are emerging within the transport sector in New Zealand is important,” Brown says.

“As new technologies emerge, it is crucial that the private transport sector adapt to these changes to provide motorists with the services they need to maintain and operate their vehicles.

“Making sure that businesses within the motor industry are supported to adapt to these changes is something that the Government should be looking into as new technologies

emerge and is something that I would be actively looking into as Transport Minister.”

He added that a top priority, if National is in a fortunate position to form a Government in October, will be to begin construction on key transport infrastructure projects around the country to reduce the transport infrastructure deficit.

“This begins with futureproofing our roading network by ensuring that the National Land Transport Fund is resilient, reliable, and primarily focused on building and

maintaining our roads.

“Another priority I will bring to the role is implementing National’s recently announced Pothole Repair Fund, which will fix the countless numbers of potholes that have been causing havoc on our roads for motorists and freight operators around the country.”

MTA has invited politicians and transport spokespeople from parties from all sides of the House to visit our members’ businesses and get a close-up look at various sectors of the industry.

The tour of the business took in the workshop floor to prep areas and the paint booth.

The visit provided an opportunity for Brown to see how technology is a big part of the industry.

Join the MTA board

MTA members who can see the big picture and want to help shape the future of the motor trade are encouraged to put themselves forward for the MTA board. One director position comes to an end of its term later this year and nominations for candidates will be called for shortly.

MTA President Bob Boniface says, “Being a board member gives you a broader outlook on your own business, and the industry as a whole. As a director you meet and work with interesting people from all sectors and you can pick up skills, information and ideas that are useful in your professional development, your business and your community.” MTA has an exciting strategic plan for the future.

As MTA undergoes this transformational process, this is a great time to join the board and steer the industry towards an exciting future. The board meets about every six weeks and directors also sit on one or two committees. Bob says it is important for the board members to reflect the different regions, sectors and people that make up the motor trades. “So, please, if

you feel you have something to contribute to the industry, put yourself forward as a director.” Nominations are now open. Keep an eye on our regular Friday emails and Toolbox. Voting opens on Friday 22 September and closes Thursday 12 October. Voting will be done online and the results reported at the Annual General Meeting.

Surprise accolade after tsunami of challenges

In October, Martin Bohanna was picking up the pieces after a devastating ram raid.

Now he’s picking up the Mobil Dealer Service Station of the Year for 2023.

A ute was driven through the shop front at Waikanae’s Bohanna Motors, north of Wellington, causing $79,000 worth of damage, and in 90 seconds $800 of vape and tobacco products were gone.

“That raid was on top of two really hard years and pushed me to having a mental breakdown,” he says. Those two years included the massive challenges of Covid-19, followed by a marriage break-up –all with the stress and mental health challenges.

Winning an award wasn’t on Martin’s radar, he was just focussed on getting through the tough times. With the help of his parents and co-owners in the business, Brent and Helen Bohanna, he’s over the moon to have received this year’s award –as is Dad.

“It has taken 44 years to win the award,” Brent says.

“We have got close a couple of times and have been runner-up and we have won a couple of awards with the MTA over the years.”

Brent says Mobil did contact him several times encouraging him to attend the prize-giving ceremony but never let on they were in the running for the top award.

“They phoned and said the tickets and accommodation were booked but I said I couldn’t make it, I was too busy and now I know why they wanted me there,” Brent says.

Martin puts a lot of the credit for the award on his staff; they have been loyal, they have supported him through the tough times, and he counts them all as part of the family.

“It’s nice to have acknowledgment that what my staff are doing is appreciated, because we still serve all the time on the forecourt, and our fuel sales are beginning to dwindle down because of electric cars plus the price of fuel,” Martin says.

He now takes each day as it comes and says they are in the process of rebuilding the showroom following last year’s raid.

The award

The Mobil Dealer Service Station of the Year award is based on a lot of things, such as mystery shoppers, fuel turnover, health and safety specifications, customer experience, and Mobil loyalty programme numbers.

“It’s a huge range of things that are taken into account,” Martin.

He was grateful his service station was chosen.

Martin and Brent Bohanna with the Mobil Dealer Service Station award and cup.

The aftermath of last year’s ram raid.

MEMBER PROFILE: ROAD AND SPORT MOTORCYCLES, HAMILTON

Hamilton’s top hogs ride high

There’s a great biker quote that goes, “If you want to be happy for a lifetime, ride a motorbike,” and Barry Sproule has had over four decades of happiness.

Barry’s Hamilton Harley-Davidson dealership, Road and Sport, is an award-winning business built from a passion for two wheels. In fact, it won Harley-Davidson Australasian Dealer of the Year awards in 2017, 2020, and 2021. “It is recognition and is really a tribute to the team here,” Barry says.

And there’s still a long road ahead with daughter Hannah Manssen gently taking over the day-to-

day running of the dealership. More on that later.

Barry and business partner Keith Larkin started the business 45 years ago in October of 1978

“Where did all the time go, 45 years is a long time!” Barry says. “It has been an exciting trip and it is still fun.”

At first there was plenty of opposition to the two lads in their early 20s.

Banks weren’t keen to lend them money and the MVDI (Motor Vehicle Dealers Institute) of the day was sceptical about their suitability to hold a dealer licence.

“Everyone was against us, the people in the licensing board were objecting, saying ‘who are these two little shits trying to sell motorbikes, they don’t know what they are up to’.

“We were only 21 and 23, there was a lot of naysaying going on, so we got quite creative in the end.

“The requirements for a licence were quite stringent and you need to have a line of credit with the bank. Fortunately, we did own some property and we managed to convince the bank and we got a line of credit.”

Starting out small

So, Barry and Keith set to work running the small second-hand bike shop and repair centre in Rostrevor Street Hamilton.

With Barry as the mechanic, and Keith as the salesperson, they became the Suzuki agent and the brand helped build the business.

Then in 1990, Harley-Davidson was making a comeback, and after a rigorous vetting procedure the pair were sent their first Harley and a new journey for the business began.

Four years later, Keith left the partnership and Barry and wife Shelly bought him out.

The following years of the journey had its challenges but nothing they couldn’t handle.

“Motorcycle people graft along, and adversity is something they expect because they ride a motorbike. If you want to go home and have a cup of hot milk with your mother you won’t be riding a motorbike,” he says.

And Barry’s still enjoying the journey. “When you’re running a business, time is not your friend, it’s your enemy,

Barry’s daughter Hannah is the Operations Manager.

There’s a model for all styles of riding.

MEMBER PROFILE: ROAD AND SPORT MOTORCYCLES, HAMILTON

because you don’t have enough of it, it is always after you.”

Daughter Hannah is now in the driving seat as Operations Manager. Help is only a phone call away with Barry and mum Shelly supporting her from their home office.

“Since I was three or four years old, I’ve been telling all my family that I would run the business one day,” Hannah says. But it hasn’t been as simple as walking in the door and being given a job.

Sacked by Mum

“When I left school, I came and worked here when I was 17,

and obviously working for your parents at 17 is challenging and I got sacked by my mum.

“She was nice and said, ‘I don’t think this is working,’ so I went and worked for a trucking company for 10 years.

“I started off there as the office lady and was general manager by the time I left, and that was the right time for me to come back to the business.”

When she did, there was still a lot to learn and over the years she’s spent time working in all departments, except for training as a technician.

“I’m only in my first year as

Operations Manager, I started in service and then finance, and insurance and I can do every aspect of the business except the technician job.

“I have got all the tools for success, I was bought up with a good work ethic and I am quite close with Barry and Shelly, and I speak with Mum multiple times a day,” she says.

Barry says he’s still full-time in terms of running the business but isn’t full-time on site.

“It is really important that my involvement is structured and is not too invasive, it is a bit of a balancing act,” he says.

Strategy

“That is a strategy of mine, if I keep on coming to work every day then then there is no point of a succession plan.”

Added support for Hannah is husband Blair, who runs the parts department.

And with things running smoothly, Barry and Hannah have a trip planned down to the South Island in November, on Harleys of course, for the 120th Anniversary National Hog Rally in Cromwell.

Sales staff Andy and Adam.

Award-winning Harley-Davidson dealer Road and Sport Motorcycles, Hamilton.

More than a motorbike

All the family has various models of Harleys and Barry has several classics he’s bought over the years.

The reason he decided to change from Suzuki to American iron in the ’90s is rooted in the efforts of Morgan & Wacker HarleyDavidson Australia who were instrumental in rebuilding the brand in the South Pacific.

They are the second-oldest Harley dealer in the world, Barry says, and are “people-first people,” and that’s what Barry liked.

It’s also the comradery that goes with the brand that they love, and part of that is the Harley Owners Group (HOG). It has a worldwide membership of over a million Harley owners and any member who needs help and has their HOG badge will receive help.

“It’s a huge clan of people and if you are on a Harley and are a HOG member, you’ll have a bed for the night and people will even fix your bike for you.”

“It’s more than just motorcycle ownership.”

Blair and Hannah.

Harley-Davidson founders, one Harley and three Davidsons.

Move the focus from ‘trendy’ ram raids

Dave Harris is a service station owner and former President of MTA. He contributed this column after a recent theft at one of his premises.

In a time when ram raids dominate headlines and political campaign promises, it’s essential to shift our focus to the other, less trendy but equally disruptive crimes.

These crimes are growing as a result of the security upgrades being deployed, which could be described as unintentional consequences.

The recent surge in nonresidential burglaries and smashand-grab incidents in Waikato – where I live - serves as a stark reminder that these crimes demand equal attention and action from both authorities and society.

Let’s look at some statistics reported by Stuff on 22 July 2023, quoting the Waikato District Commander Superintendent Bruce Bird.

In the past 12 months:

• crime shot up 22 percent nationwide

• Waikato robbery figures have climbed 34 percent

• non-residential burglaries in Waikato increased by a staggering 57 percent.

There have been 320 charges laid in the past six months in Waikato in response to 30 ram raids, and most interesting and relevant, 59 smash and grabs – in other words, twice as many! There is no reason to assume these statistics are any different in other provinces. For businesses in sleepy rural Waikato towns like ours –Matamata in my case - waking up to the 2am phone call from the monitoring company, a shattered front door and the aftermath of a smash-andgrab burglary is an unfortunate

reality. Unlike the ‘trendy’ ram raids, these incidents often involve similar outcomes, though with potentially less structural damage, and much less media coverage or political will to proactively minimise.

One specific incident, which I experienced first-hand recently, sheds light on the severity of smash-and-grab crimes. The burglary involved two culprits who managed to wreak havoc in a mere 2.5 minutes, leaving behind a trail of broken glass and stolen stock, mainly comprising vapes. While the swift response from law enforcement led to the identification and arrest of the culprits, this incident serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerability of sectors being overlooked as the politicians follow the noise being made in

the media and introduce narrow bands of populus policy. It’s important to note three key points from this incident.

• This was not a ram raid.

• This was not a dairy.

• At least one offender was confirmed to not be a minor. Yes, it’s all about vapes these days as most of us have wised up to the security of tobacco products, formerly the hottest item to be stolen from a store during any armed hold-up, ram raid or smash and grab. Interestingly though, this burglary did highlight that without similar security to tobacco, the vape products sit there completely uninsured. Fortunately for us, the security systems we have in play such as bollards, monitored alarms and a fog cannon hurried the burglary such that the product stolen was absolutely minimal, and the cost was more in the inconvenience and stress of the staff who turned up to work and the mess.

Harsher penalties needed

To combat the rise in property crimes, there is a pressing need for more extensive policing efforts, stronger laws, and harsher penalties. While investing in security measures such as locked cupboards, safes, bollards, monitored alarms, security patrols, CCTV, and fog cannons can mitigate damage, addressing the root cause of criminal behaviour is equally vital. The security measures employed are the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. They are only used in anger once the crime has been committed. Society must work together to instill a sense of responsibility and respect for the law.

It’s high time to broaden the discourse surrounding property crimes. Focusing solely on ram

raids perpetrated by young individuals targeting dairies overlooks the wider context of similar break-and-enter type crimes. By casting a wider net and investing equal effort in combating all property-related offenses, authorities can create a more comprehensive strategy to ensure the protection of the convenience retailers that are part of the fabric of New Zealand. While ram raids garner significant attention in the media and political arena, the rise in other less ‘trendy’ crimes, such as smash-and-grab incidents, must not be ignored. Businesses in our sector and beyond face the harsh reality of property crimes, necessitating a concerted effort to combat this issue. By implementing stricter laws, intensifying policing efforts, and broadening the focus to encompass all types of property-related offenses, we can hope for a safer and more secure society for everyone. It’s high time we recognise the significance of addressing all forms of crime and work collectively to curb this behaviour.

Dave Harris.

Rebuilding one cell at a time

There’s plenty of life left in those dying EV and hybrid batteries, even after the warning lights have begun to flash on the dash - they just need a bit of rejuvenation.

So says MTA member Nalin Senanayake, who has the technology to rebuild them, just like they did with Steve Austin in the 1970s TV show, Six Million Dollar Man. Luckily, it’s not as expensive and has the bonus of saving them from the scrap heap.

Nalin sees it as doing his bit for the environment while providing a sought-after service.

“It really reduces the carbon footprint because rather than throwing it out or sending it to the recyclers, we put life back in,

and there is still plenty of life in it.

“Costs have come down, the early EV Toyota batteries were $10,000 and they have come down a lot over the years,” he says.

Nalin was an early adopter of hybrid technology. He started working on Toyota’s first-generation Prius in 2002, qualifying with Toyota New Zealand and then going out on a limb building his own business, Ultimate EV, specialising in EV and hybrid battery reconditioning.

His business has grown with

servicing, a car yard, and aftermarket new battery imports, along with specialty technicians rejuvenating used batteries.

“I would say the number of EVs coming in the door are doubling each year and to my knowledge we are the first business of its kind to be dedicated to EVs and hybrids,” Nalin says.

The process

Once the battery is out of the car and up on the test bench, technicians get to work and analyse it.

The faulty modules are identified

Nalin Senanayake, Ultimate EV.

and replaced, and the battery is balanced so the output from all the cells is equal.

“Some batteries have 96 modules and only six might be causing a problem and all that needs to be done is replace the six modules and balance them, so they are working at the same level,” he says.

There are several technical steps that need to be taken with the nickel-metal hydride batteries to get them back to good health, he says, and with lithium batteries a computer is used to rebalance them and analyse the cells or modules so any that are not performing well can be replaced.

A technician gets to work on one of the battery modules.

Nalin’s team balancing a hybrid battery.

“The state of health in the EV lithium batteries is important and we match each module in the battery, so it is even and then it is ready to go.”

Because of the number of Toyota hybrids in the country’s fleet, Nalin says it isn’t time-effective to recycle the original battery pack and put it back in the same vehicle, so it is exchanged with one that has already been reconditioned. The original battery is then tested and refurbished, ready to be exchanged.

Nalin also imports aftermarket batteries from China and says they are as good as, if not better than the original.

“When we get them, they only have storage capacity in them; we charge them and balance them before they are sold.”

If a battery is too far gone and it isn’t viable for rejuvenation, Nalin sends it off to a nominated recycler who extracts all the recoverable components, and what can’t be recycled is shipped overseas, he says.

The business has grown with servicing, a car yard, aftermarket new battery imports along with specialty technicians. rejuvenating used batteries

Each cell is tested and matched.

NiMH versus Li-ion

Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries have long been a popular choice for hybrid cars and have also been utilised in some EVs. One of the primary advantages of NiMH batteries is their robustness and durability. These batteries have a long cycle life, which means they can endure many charge and discharge cycles before their performance begins to decline. Not only that, but NiMH batteries can deliver high levels of power output, enabling quick acceleration and overall strong performance in hybrid cars and EVs.

Some disadvantages associated with NiMH batteries when compared with other battery technologies are they have a lower energy density, meaning they store less energy per unit of weight or volume. This translates to reduced driving ranges, which can be a significant drawback for consumers concerned about range anxiety. And, NiMH batteries have a higher self-discharge rate than lithiumion batteries, which means they can lose a more significant portion of their stored energy when not in use. This characteristic can be particularly problematic for EVs that are parked for extended periods.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have a higher energy density than typical lead-acid or nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries. This means that battery manufacturers can save space, reducing the overall size of the battery pack.

Lithium is also the lightest of all metals. However, Li-ion batteries contain no lithium metal, they contain ions. For those wondering what an ion is, an ion is an atom or molecule with an electric charge caused by the loss or gain of one or more electrons.

Both NiMH and Li-ion batteries have their advantages and disadvantages in automotive applications. The choice between the two depends on factors such as cost, performance requirements, and the environmental considerations of the vehicle manufacturer. In recent years, the automotive industry has been leaning more towards using Li-ion batteries due to their higher energy density and improved performance for electric vehicles.

*Source. science direct.com

An EV battery ready for regeneration.

APPRENTICE SUCCESS STORY

Bailey’s a blueprint paint apprentice

If technology allowed, Mike Kitson from Auckland’s Green Park Panel and Paint would clone apprentice Bailey Williams, a young man so dedicated to the job he had to be forced to take a holiday.

“He’s an outstanding young man. If we could have ten like him it would be fantastic,” Mike says.

“He turns up to work every day and is so conscientious you would be shocked; he’s an amazing team man and he’s going to become a very, very good painter.”

But it all could have been very different for the young South Aucklander. “I was bought up with eight siblings in Otara,” he says.

“It’s a good place, but there are other paths I could have gone down, but I have good parents that have kept me focused,” he says.

Now Bailey’s found his calling and seized the spray gun with both hands. His initial thoughts of being a hiphop artist have been cast aside for a meticulous eye for automotive detail.

With the option to start at 6am and finish at 3.30pm, Mike says Bailey isn’t one to watch the clock and doesn’t finish his day until he’s sure

everything is done.

“Even in the weekends when the boys are working on their own cars, Bailey is the first man to get in here and help them. I have got a bit of a plan for the young fella to get him into the Golden Gun awards next year,” he says.

The Golden Gun award is the Collision Repair Association’s Apprentice of the Year award. The award recipient receives $1,000 donated by MITO and the opportunity to apply for a MITO post-trade scholarship along with a set of tools.

Three cars

Bailey had little knowledge of the business before taking the job. He’d worked for an air-con

installation company after leaving Ormiston College in South Auckland but decided it wasn’t for him and left, living off his mum and dad for a year until a friend suggested he go and see Mike about an apprenticeship. “I didn’t know a lot about cars and had no car when I came here. Now I have three, and I have already done a paint job on my Subaru Legacy. I don’t plan on selling it as it is my first car, it’s a 2002 model the same age as me,” he says.

“When I first came here, I started cleaning and learning and I took my time with everything to make sure I was doing it 100 percent, I didn’t want to mess it up.

“Now I have got my own rhythm

and manage my time better.”

He plans to finish his paint apprenticeship as soon as possible and then take on a panel apprenticeship, and Mike is keen to make that happen.

“I love this job, it is a good job, and I am going to get through this apprenticeship as quickly as I can; it should be done in three years,” Bailey says.

Radiator

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. Email simon.bradwell@mta.org.nz.

“We are in a small rural town and are pretty concerned about the level of crime. Is there any advice on protecting our businesses better?”

If you don’t already know your local police, take the opportunity when or where you can to introduce yourself, and let them know where your business is. Old-fashioned points of contact can be very helpful in smaller centres.

“It was great to read about succession planning in the June issue of Radiator, it is something that I have been thinking about for a while and there was a lot of good advice and it has really got the conversation started.”

This is great to hear. For members wanting more advice, go to MTA’s Toolbox and have a look under business-advice and succession planning or give our Member Services team a call and they will be able to help.

“Good to see MTA acting so quickly when Waka Kotahi discovered a member who breached the rules.”

It’s important to uphold the MTA’s brand integrity and fronting this in the media gave us the opportunity to reassure the public they can trust us to stand by them.

“We have a couple of new migrant staff members at two of our sites and they have started a bit of a network to get other qualified staff to immigrate. This seems to be a mutually beneficial situation for our members, and for their workers. They won’t recommend anyone who will reflect badly on their reputation.”

Getting skilled workers is quite the challenge for employers at the moment and this is one way that will help with the skilled workers shortage across all sectors of the automotive industry.

Counterfeit gift vouchers

There has been a slight increase in the number of fake vouchers being presented in the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty regions. In all cases, the fakes have been photocopies and have a few obvious telltale signs: the colour is not as vibrant and there is no MTA logo in the foil part of the voucher.

The top voucher in the photo is an original MTA voucher with the photocopies that were presented below it.

The Northern Region held their most recent committee meeting at The Crate in Albany on 8 June with the aim of improving the wellbeing and success of the Northern Region members.

The committee explored ways to create a group for those employees of members who currently do not have full membership themselves, to make it easier to access events and training. Leveraging data obtained from the MTA ‘Burgers and Beers’ event was discussed, and there was a suggestion to send out a questionnaire to people via email with the incentive of a prize.

The committee has organised a Meet and Greet on 19 August at the Roosters for the Northland and Rural members to promote engagement and networking.

Support for ‘Gumboot Friday,’ an organisation focused on mental health, was discussed. A Gumboot fundraiser event was proposed, and plans were made to discuss national participation.

Don’t miss our upcoming events such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie screening in September and the Business Management Essential training. See the Toolbox to

book or contact Amy, your Regional Training and Events Coordinator.

To get involved with the Northern Region committee, please contact Amy Lai on 021 292 7652 or amy.lai@mta.org.nz

The Cook Strait committee met on 26 July in Levin. A few significant challenges were highlighted by the committee. There is a shortage of skilled workers and young adults who are uncertain of their career paths. Recruiting apprentices proves difficult, given the preference for experienced people. However, some

companies are choosing to “grow their own” by investing in apprentices to address this issue. Another pressing challenge brought up was recalibration, particularly with the emergence of ADAS. There is a lack of knowledge in this area, which raises safety concerns and potential accidents if recalibrated wrong. Collaborative efforts with insurers are lacking, and investing in training and equipment is essential to overcome these challenges. The last issue our committee is facing is the Government’s policy around the Covid-19 isolation period, which is still affecting the industry, leaving employers short-staffed, and losing hundreds of hours of work, affecting them financially.

The Cook Strait region has a series of events and trainings coming up to promote engagement and offer valuable opportunities for professional development.

The events and training in August include watching the All Blacks vs Australia at a Wellington pub, First Aid training, Dealing with Difficult Customers and Fire Extinguisher training in September. You can find these on Toolbox under Events and Training, or you can contact your Regional Events Coordinator, Shannon.

To get involved with the Cook Strait committee, contact Shannon Morbey on 021 031 0075 or shannon.morbey@mta.org.nz

Eastland starts a mental wellbeing conversation

To boost awareness around mental health, MTA Eastland committee are hosting a mental health and wellbeing event hosted by The Rock Morning Rumble’s Bryce Casey.

Eastland Chair Kelly Stephens says the challenges around mental health and wellbeing is very real on the East Coast and the event is something the committee has been wanting to do for a while.

“Having Bryce doing the talk is a great way to introduce the members to options for support and get the conversation started,” she says.

“For all of us on the committee we have seen a lot of people under stress and have also heard about a lot under stress.

“Suicide rates in the Hawke’s Bay are high and it is something we have been wanting to do

BRYCE CASEY

As the 2020 Sir Paul Holmes Broadcaster of the Year, Bryce Casey is at the epicentre of TV and radio in New Zealand.

Bryce has made appearances as a guest host on 7 Days and The Project and is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, bringing joy and light into dark conversations.

After burying a fourth friend, Bryce made the decision to be vulnerable.

He brought his grief and honesty to his radio show, leading to a swell of movement from listeners.

He integrated ‘Gumboot Friday’ into his show, bowled for 58 hours straight, one minute for every Kiwi who tried to take or succeeded in taking their life in 2018, and raised $366,602.

something about for a while,” Kelly says.

“We also want to make MTA members aware of the tools that are available through the MTA as well as a localised East Coast free initiative that some of our members are rolling out called Mates 4Life, a mental health mentoring programme.”

Mates4Life Hawke’s Bay (M4LHB)

This is a suicide awareness and prevention programme being delivered to workplaces and organisations across Hawke’s Bay (from Wairoa to Dannevirke).

Over the last three years Bryce has raised $1.3 million for Mike King’s I AM HOPE Foundation for free mental health counselling, earning him a nomination for New Zealander of the Year in 2020. Bryce takes his honesty into all parts of his life, opening up about his and his wife’s struggle to have babies.

He wants to relate to people, let them know they are not alone, and encourage that dialogue in coming together.

“I’m genuinely looking forward to coming to the Bay. It’s where my family are, and it’s where I’ve spent a lot of my life at different stages, I’m deeply aware of the struggle that’s been and remains there so it’ll be great to come have a yarn and say gidday,” says Bryce. The event will be hosted by MTA

The programme is delivered by the Mates of Hawke’s Bay Charitable Trust, a not-forprofit entity that enables it to be delivered at no cost to the employer or organisation. The aim of Mates4Life is to provide a long-term, sustainable, no barriers suicide awareness and prevention training approach that is specific to the needs of workplaces and communities within Hawke’s Bay. To get involved with the Eastland committee, contact Natalie Campbell on 021 414665 or Natalie.campbell@mta.org.nz

Eastland in Havelock North on Friday 29 September at the Havelock North Function Centre, starting at 6.30pm. Tickets are $20pp and are available on MTA’s website.

Bryce Casey.

Bryce Casey appears by arrangement with Johnson & Laird Management.

Website and digital marketing solutions

OurAuto Digital are automotive experts with a team of web designers, content specialists, SEO experts, graphic designers, videographers and social media marketers that focus on connecting customers with your business. Our digital marketing services are both comprehensive and responsive to your needs.

Automotive information at your fingertips

VACC MotorTech brings together the extensive online and physical repair, service and diagnostic information resources available from VACC with the global might of Haynes Publishing group, resulting in over 150 years, experience assisting the industry to repair motor vehicles.

Where are we, and what now?

Last month I had the opportunity to travel in Europe and tick a few things off my bucket list. As a lifelong classic car enthusiast, there were a few must-do’s, the VW Bus festival in Hanover, the Le Mans Summer Classics, the Spa Summer Classic, and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

It was interesting to see the development of fossil-free automotive fuels being used in classic and modern race cars at those events, and at Goodwood there was a display of around 25 makes and models of the newest EVs from affordable to stratospheric, both in price and performance.

In between I visited friends in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, and two fabulous museums, the magnificent Autoworld in Brussels, and Brooklands in the UK. I even climbed up to the top of the famous (and incredibly steep) banking.

In these days when countries struggle to afford or satisfactorily build infrastructure projects,

it’s sobering to realise that the Brooklands circuit opened in 1907, was entirely built by hand, with hundreds of labourers, in less than a year!

It seems crazy that with all the advances in technology, today’s contractors often aren’t able to design and build infrastructure projects that are trouble free and affordable.

Perhaps one of the real issues is the demise of the Ministry of Works.

Yes, seriously!

If we look back at the projects designed, supervised and even directly built by Government agencies like the NZED, the MoW etc, almost all have proved reliable, durable and most were built within their projected cost boundaries.

There was a cohort of welltrained engineers to oversee construction and to advise the policymakers and ministers about the risks of ill-thought-through proposals.

Maybe that’s the clue as to why things have gone pear shaped

in terms of roading over the last decade or more. Who would have advised the then Government that it was a bright idea to reduce roading maintenance funding, while at the same time enormously increasing the truck loadings on roads, by massive increases in truck weights (now greater than the trucks in Europe and the UK).

The big increase in truck movements, (partly due to a lack of investment in rail) has had a huge detrimental effect.

Playing catch-up

You’d have to feel sorry for recent Ministers trying to turn all this around, playing catch-up, even though billions more dollars have been poured into roading and all infrastructure areas.

We are not alone in these problems.

Friends in Britain and Europe are also concerned about the state of their road (and rail) infrastructure and campaigns on potholes seem to be universal!

Some major cities worldwide have declared huge insolvency problems due to aging and inadequate infrastructure, particularly now with the added effects of global climate change being clearly seen.

The challenge for Governments, both local and central, is how to plan for, and afford, not only the demands of increasing populations, but also the substantial restructure of thinking needed to address the growing concerns about providing for climate change.

BLUE, the German-owned McLaren at Spa.

How do we change lifelong habits? How do we encourage people to walk, bike or bus (tram or train if you have them) rather than hop in the car, as we’ve always done. For some it’s harder, those living and working in the country, or working at odd hours where public transport doesn’t go. As always, one size doesn’t fit all. Think about it though, the world’s long-term biggest-selling vehicle is a massive ute.

What now?

This is my last column before the election and I’ve been asked to speculate on what will happen. It’s not easy this time, even though I’ve been a former MP and a keen observer for most of my life.

No Government since WW2 has had to cope with so much in so few years; the mosque murders, the White Island tragedy, Covid-19 and the resulting financial crisis, the dramatic

onset of climate change and no doubt a whole pile of things that aren’t top of mind right now. If the decision is based on policies and performance, by any international measure, the current Government has done a remarkable job.

At home, sometimes we are too close to “see the wood for the trees” and often we’ve seen New Zealanders swayed by unsustainable promises. Kiwis love a bargain. Some

are taken in by glib speeches about efficiencies, “waste” and of course the usual “law and order” stuff. Always follow a good stirring speech with the question “Exactly, precisely, how will that be paid for?” We’re not hearing much in the way of specifics from any of the challengers, so shouldn’t that be a cause for concern? Remember Muldoon, he was going to fund superannuation by “efficiently running the economy” and did that work out? The current Government is showing signs of stress - given the last few years, that’s hardly any surprise. However, a week is a long time in politics…

Something to remember, it’s those who don’t get out to vote that change Governments. One last point to remember, at this stage in 2005 the Helen Clark Government was given no chance by the media, yet she remained PM until 2008.

I think it will still be a close race. The only certainty is what Mike Moore once said. “The voters are right, even when they’re bloody wrong.”

The new and controversial chicane at Spa in Belgium.

The fantastic Brussels Autoworld Museum. In the foreground is Jenatzy’s 1899 world speed record electric car. Built in late 1898, it had a record run on 27 January 1899 of 106 kilometres per hour.

A couple of very fast Fords.

Blast from the Past

Every month we revisit the pages of Radiator from 25 years and 75 years ago.

AUGUST 1948

2022 FORD MUSTANG

Ford’s Mustang is known for its love of hydrocarbons- but not this one. It runs on electricity and is an SUV. So is it really a Mustang?

We’re not sure some will ever forgive Ford for using the Mustang nameplate on an electric vehicle, and an SUV at that. But then we’re pretty sure those are the type that will never buy a car that you plug in either.

The Mach-E is all about leveraging the brand cache of the famous horse badge, as the association is sure to spark people’s attention.

The Mach-E isn’t Ford’s first electric vehicle; that would be, um, yeah, a forgettable Focus, something that wasn’t sold here. Before they dreamed up the Mach-E, Ford’s new EV was to be just another Focus with a better battery.

Not very exciting then, and not something the marketing department could whip up any

sort of hype around. While we might have had an electric Focus RS eventually, there’s just not the scope to sell as many five-door hatches as there is to hawk an SUV.

Ford says the “Mach-E embodies the Mustang spirit – from its sleek silhouette and muscular curves to exhilarating drive experiences that offer unique driving dynamics”.

The marrying of sports car styling cues to the SUV form is never an easy task.

We can see the bits they have incorporated: the long bonnet line and the sculptured haunches, the way the glass house slopes away at the rear, and there are the headlights and tri-bar lamps at the back. But does it gel cohesively? At least it’s better looking than a Model Y. Anyway, we’ll leave it to the eye of the beholder. What we can comment on are those unique driving dynamics. But first a few Mach-E details.

Exactly how many Mach-E models ARE there?

Ford NZ has managed to sneak one model in at the allimportant $79,990 mark, so it nets the rebate (now $7,015) and is known simply as the Mach-E RWD. It has a single motor with 198kW/430Nm while the 68kWh (net) battery

gives a quoted range of 440km (WLTP).

There’s a decent price jump to the AWD at $109,990 which gets two motors, outputting a total of 258kW and 580Nm, and it will canter to 100km/h a second quicker than the RWD at a claimed 5.1 seconds.

It has a larger 88kWh (net) battery and a potential range of 550 kilometres.

The top GT gets the same battery but with more powerful motors and outputs of 358kW and 860Nm. The Mustang Mach-E GT is said to gallop to 100 in 3.7seconds and can range up to 490 kilometres. It costs $124,990. It’s the GT we have here. More than 60 percent of the models sold so far have been the base RWD variant, with people chasing the rebate. And it’s the one that is by far the best value given it doesn’t miss out on much in the way of specifications.

MUSTANG MACH-E GT

WORDS: KYLE CASSIDY

PHOTOS: ISAAC WESTERN

Does it run like a real GT?

There’s certainly some Mustang DNA about the way it goes.

Despite the GT’s twin-motor setup, it’s not unusual to get the front wheels spinning when you give it a burst of the mark. It’s momentary but it seems deliberate, to add a bit of drama to proceedings.

But unlike the rear-drive, petrolfired GT, this otherwise does not struggle for traction. It’s quick out of the blocks and they say it’s good for a 3.7sec 0-100, although that’s using the cheat’s one-foot rollout methodology, which helps whittle the tenths off a time.

We managed just 4.5 seconds; maybe it would have been quicker had we managed to initiate the ‘Untamed plus’ driving mode but for whatever reason it just wasn’t doing it for us on the day.

Still, that compares favourably with the real Mustang GT, which runs a similar time.

While the GT is super punchythat instant hit of torque surging you forward - it does start to taper off above the 130km/h mark, which we discovered when ‘drag racing’ on the track.

Versus the AWD, the GT displayed a more instant power delivery, and lots more of it, sprinting away easily.

But the drop-off in squirt is typical of electric performance, the lack

of gears holding it back from attaining serious speed. However it’s more appropriate for road use, and this sure is quick when blasting off a bend.

The GT gains a sportier suspension set-up complete with MagneRide adaptive dampers and lowerprofile, performance-oriented rubber. While it does a nice job, it isn’t quite as sharp. On the flip side, the AWD rides better but the trade-off is more roll and tyre squirm when heading into a bend. Both Mach-Es have a neat dynamic trait compared with other dual-motor EVs.

Is this electric GT as engaging as its V8-powered namesake? Not quite. This feels heavy, and it doesn’t quite disguise that mass as well as other EVs.

And the brakes, upgraded with Brembo hardware on the GT, don’t feel great through the pedal, making it more of a challenge to haul up smoothly for the allimportant corner entry.

Does the Mustang Mach-E GT do the everyday okay?

Well, it is an SUV. The steering feels slightly possessed when the lane control system is in charge, but a quick click of a button exorcises that demon. While it’s light enough, the steering ratio could be quicker for more

effortless commuting and parking. With that long wheelbase comes a large turning circle.

The GT has a sporting bent to its gait, and can get pretty lumpy over rough surfaces. The brake pedal is rather sensitive, not requiring much in the way of pedal effort to initiate a strong response.

The amount of brake regen is linked to the drive modes; in Whisper it’ll coast more but, thoughtfully, it’ll slow when heading downhill, nixing the speed creep.

We like the seats, which are both comfy and supportive, and the driving position is okay too. The A-pillars are rather chunky, however, restricting forward view. The small instrument display shows your ‘ground speed’ and distance to empty, and just a wee power gauge shows how little of the GT’s ultimate power you use getting to work. Most of the screen is dedicated to keeping tabs on the active driver aids.

The Mach-E is adept at guiding itself along on the motorway – it does all the work for you – and without too many prompts to ensure you’re still conscious.

The interior quality is sound, with minimal hard plastics about, though you’d never dub it luxurious.

One novel feature is the E-latch external door release; press the button and the door pops open, the kids love it. And it works as intended.

Boot space is adequate though not overly generous for what is a large car – the hold is not particularly wide. The seats can be folded easily enough.

Charging and consumption?

Ford supplies a cable for use at public chargers, but not a three-pin slow charger for home use.

We juiced up at a 50kW DC station boosting it from 43 percent to 62 percent (17.4kWh delivered) while another 30 minute session

raised it from 45 to 70 percent (21kWh delivered). With consumption tracking around the 20-21kWh/100km mark, that’s about 100km of range added each time. It can take on up to 150kW of DC, which Ford says equates to 99km range in just 10 minutes.

Last thoughts?

The GT has its moments, but we wish there were more of them for the price asked. We were more impressed with the AWD variant, a more rounded approach. And we suspect the RWD model will impress as well, given it’s some $53k cheaper than the GT, and you can still say you drive a Mustang.

Price $124,990

Clean Car Discount Neutral – $0

Motor 358kW/860Nm

Battery 88kWh net

Range 490km

Drivetrain Single-speed auto, e-AWD

Energy Use 21kWh/100km

C02 Output 0g/km

0-100km/h 4.50sec

80-120km/h 2.91sec (85m)

100-0km/h 35.98m

Stability systems ABS, ESP, TV

Safety AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB

Luggage capacity F-100L, R-519-1,402L

Tow rating N/A

Service intervals 12 months, 20,000km

Warranty 5years, Unlimited kms

ANCAP rating 5 Stars

Weight 2,273kg (claimed)

Model Mustang Mach-E GT

Everything is bigger and better with Plant and Equipment

Peter Hammond has been working as an equipment technician for two years and is hoping to finish his MITO - Te Pūkenga apprenticeship by the end of the year. He has loved the on-job training that his employer CablePrice provides in partnership with MITO - Te Pūkenga and looks forward to being awarded MITO’s New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering - Plant and Equipment (Level 3 and 4). We had a chat about his experience as an apprentice in the heavy automotive industry.

How did you first become interested in the automotive industry?

My father owns a truck and crane business that I would visit on the weekend when I was younger and help him with bits and pieces. I have also worked on my own vehicles. I was fascinated with how things work and that’s what piqued my interest. I was

working in fabrication for a while, but I eventually got bored. Every time a piece of machinery came in and I got to work on it, I would really enjoy it, especially the hydraulics stuff, and now I get to do that at CablePrice.

How did you get your current role at CablePrice?

I liked the idea of working on equipment and machinery so when I saw that CablePrice were advertising for a technician, I thought ‘oh yeah, I’ll give it a go’. I went in for an interview and a practical test and got the job! I originally started on the trucking side with the hope that a position would open up in plant and equipment. I was in that original role for about three months before jumping over to the plant and equipment side.

Peter Hammond.

How did you start your MITOTe Pūkenga apprenticeship?

It was offered when I applied for the job, and we started straight away. I was enrolled on one of my first days. I had a meeting with my training advisor Brian Scott where he showed me how to use the eLearning system and I was then away with my training. The support from MITO - Te Pūkenga has been awesome. They are always willing to help and are very hands-on. We meet every couple of months and set goals together. CablePrice also allocate me time and pay me after hours to do my book work, which helps me stay motivated.

How have you found the eLearning side of the programme?

Awesome! My last apprenticeship was all paperwork which I despised. It was a pain and I never ended up finishing it because the paperwork was all over the place and hard to keep track of. Having the assessments online makes it so much easier. I’m a hands-on learner and hated classroom learning. My goal this year is to prioritise my time better for the theory work, but it’s definitely a lot easier having it online.

What do you enjoy about the heavy automotive industry?

Everything that you’re working on is big and more interesting. Heavy equipment helps keep the economy running and you get to see a lot of different projects. In this role you will often go to a site that has just broken ground and then you return later and get to see how much progress they have made.

What would be your advice to anyone wanting to start an apprenticeship?

Go for it! No student loans and get paid while you learn. It’s a great way to get qualified. Visit mito.nz to get your team qualified.

CERTIFICATION

Breathing through a straw

The must-have item for any ute or 4WD is currently a snorkel fitted to the A-pillar, which is an extension of the air intake designed to enable the driver to negotiate particularly treacherous floods and river crossings, without sucking water into the engine. This is especially helpful in the local drive-thru or supermarket carpark, where most snorkel-equipped vehicles spend their time.

Until recently, there was no allowance in the Light Vehicle Repair VIRM Threshold for the fitment of a snorkel, meaning there was no clear answer as to whether a snorkel required LVV certification. However, in an effort to assist the growing number of underwater driving enthusiasts, in April 2021 a section was added to the Threshold describing how a snorkel fitted to a vehicle could avoid LVV certification. Unfortunately, even with the best intentions to help provide an easy recipe for a vehicle to stay under Threshold, the way the Threshold is worded has instead created further confusion for AVIs.

In the VIRM (under In-service (Wof and CoF), General vehicles, Vehicle structure, Section 3-1, Tables and images), Snorkels), the Threshold specifies that a snorkel fitted to a vehicle does not require LVV certification provided that:

• the snorkel is fitted only to the outer skin of the A-pillar (not into the central structure), and

• the fixings are of an appropriate size, and

• the fixings are sealed to prevent water ingress into the A-pillar, and

• appropriate rust treatment is applied to prevent corrosion.

Note: it is recommended that snorkels are fitted with high strength adhesives rather than screws.

The eagle-eyed reader may notice a couple of things in that list that are not so easy to check as part of a WoF inspection, given that this is entirely visual. The first clause states that LVV certification is not required for fitment of a snorkel, provided that “the snorkel is fitted only to the outer skin of the A-pillar (not into the central structure)”. Drilling or cutting the inner A-pillar structure would weaken the pillar, so LVV certification would be required to ensure any strength lost has been adequately reinstated. In terms of checking this for a WoF, either the AVI or the vehicle owner may need to produce evidence in terms of the structure that the snorkel attaches to, as it’s not

likely that this will be able to be checked visually. Some vehicles do not have an inner A-pillar structure, which creates further confusion. Technically though, a snorkel affixed to the outer skin of the A-pillar should still meet the wording.

The second clause states “the fixings are of an appropriate size”, which is a bit simpler. A snorkel attached to the A-pillar with countersunk wood screws wouldn’t be considered appropriate, nor would a snorkel held on with shoelaces, bailing twine, household sticky tape, or cable ties. Most off-theshelf snorkel kits come with appropriate fasteners, which are usually rivnut inserts and bolts in M6 or M8 size, or button-

head rivets. This leads into the third and fourth clauses, which specify that the fixings must be “sealed to prevent water ingress”, and that “appropriate rust treatment is applied.” In which case, there should be no bare metal visible around the fixings, and an AVI would be expecting to see (where possible) evidence of silicone sealant or similar in the holes made in the A-pillar for the fixings.

The note at the end of the Threshold section on snorkels is probably the best solution for a person wanting to fit a snorkel to a vehicle – using highstrength adhesives rather than cutting and drilling removes any doubt about whether the snorkel attachment has affected the structure of the A-pillar. This also simplifies things at WoF time, and makes life easier for both the vehicle owner and AVI.

Other aspects

There are a couple of other aspects of snorkel fitment not covered specifically by the snorkel Threshold wording, but it’s important that these are also considered when inspecting a snorkel-equipped vehicle.

The first of these relates to how the air intake passes through the inner guard to the engine bay - if a hole has been bored for the air intake piping, this can affect the vehicle structure. For this, the relevant part of the Threshold to consider would be further down under Note 11, in Figure 3-1-2 which describes the parts of the vehicle the VIRM considers to be ‘structural’. In essence, to stay under Threshold the air intake piping needs to pass through an OE

hole or aperture in the inner guard structure, as any cutting or drilling of an area shaded grey in Figure 3-1-2 would tip the vehicle into needing LVV certification. A tell-tale sign of an OE hole in an inner guard is that this would usually have a stamped recess, or folded rebate section around the circumference of the hole. The second aspect (which also isn’t mentioned) is that a snorkel and its attachments need to meet any other applicable External Projections Threshold requirements – so it can’t increase the risk of hooking or grazing a person, or stick out so far that it exceeds maximum vehicle width allowances.

Got a question that needs answering? Have a topic you’d like LVVTA to cover?

Let us know what you’d like to see in an upcoming LVVTA column at info@lvvta.org.nz

No corrosion damage permitted within 150mm of top A-pillar

No shoelaces here.

The grey-shaded areas above are what the VIRM considers as ‘vehicle structure’. Note that for the diagram of the utility, all of the inner guard area is shaded.

SUPPLIED CONTENT

Safer Vehicles sentencing

The following article was supplied to Radiator by Waka Kotahi after the sentencing of a non-MTA member for dishonestly accessing the Motor Vehicle Register. All views expressed are Waka Kotahi’s, and do not necessarily reflect those of MTA.

Nicole Botherway, Senior Manager Safer Vehicles, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency,

talks about the sentencing.

Nicole, recently the first sentencing took place in court stemming from a Safer Vehicles investigation. Was the result what you hoped for?

Yes, I was pleased when the defendant pleaded guilty in March and it’s a fair sentencing. The defendant received eight months home detention plus payment of various costs.

When deciding the appropriate sentence, the Judge started from a point of two and a half years imprisonment but reduced the sentence due to mitigating circumstances

The sentence was for dishonestly accessing the Motor Vehicle Register. Is this a common occurrence in the industry?

Good inspecting organisations far outweigh the dishonest ones and we have confidence that the good ones do the right thing. We’re continuously reviewing and refreshing our approach to regulation, including the technology available to us, and we have a new and effective way of detecting dishonest behaviour. Unfortunately, over recent months we’ve found several instances where unlawful access or dishonestly accessing documents may have occurred. We’re currently investigating some of these to assess whether further action will be taken.

It’s incredibly disappointing when we find this behaviour. When people conduct vehicle

inspections without the proper authority, it means vehicle safety systems may not be properly checked and it places vehicle owners and other road users at risk.

What role does safety play in vehicle inspections?

It’s the key reason we require WoF and CoF inspections to take place. For example, if you’re not checking brakes properly, what’s going to happen if that vehicle is in a crash? It may not perform as it’s supposed to – why would anyone take that risk?

This is why we conduct our compliance reviews. We aim to engage and educate with industry when we find noncompliance that can be improved on, but we’ll apply enforcement where possible fraudulent or other unlawful behaviour is uncovered.

What impact does this behaviour have on the industry as a whole?

Unlawful behaviour undermines the industry so one of the reasons we take enforcement action is to protect those who are compliant, which is the majority of the industry. You deserve to be trusted to do your job – vehicle owners should feel comfortable taking their vehicle to any WoF or CoF inspecting organisation.

Are there behaviours you’ve seen recently that are concerning?

Overall, we’re really pleased with how the industry is performing and everyone should keep up the great work.

However, we’ve found several instances where vehicle inspectors have been conducting WoFs very quickly. Too quickly to be properly conducting the inspection. Unfortunately, IOs doing this become known for ‘easy WoFs’ as vehicles that need repair get passed. Again, it’s safety being compromised and we’re cracking down on it

Any final words for MTA members?

Waka Kotahi has a lot of trust and confidence in the inspection industry. Your role is so important to many families and the safety of the New Zealand vehicle fleet. However, there are a very small minority who undermine the good work you do. My team and I are determined to hold them accountable on your behalf.

If you know of anyone compromising the safety of unsuspecting vehicle owners, please get in contact with us. It’s completely confidential and supports the reputation of the industry as a whole.

Nicole Botherway.

Don’t overlook mental health and safety

Recent high-profile cases have put a spotlight on the issue of mental health – and mental health can and does impact on-the-job performance. As we’ve seen, even our politicians can struggle with mental health, and if not managed properly, the effects can be damaging both professionally and personally. While your workshop is a far cry from the different pressures of Parliament, it is nevertheless a busy place where appropriate attention should be focused on the wellness and wellbeing of your people.

Mental wellbeing is an asset

Healthy people are better equipped to cope with life’s day-to-day stresses, so we can work and interact positively and reach our full potential. Remember, even though there’s plenty of physical work, our minds do the heavy lifting. Healthy minds are more creative, innovative and solutionsfocused, and give your workshop a competitive edge. When we’re mentally positive and well, we’re more productive, more satisfied and less likely to take time off, suffer injuries, or leave for another job. That reduces sick leave and means good people stay longer, eliminating recruitment and training costs.

Looking after Health and Safety (including mental health) is a legal requirement

While we’re all familiar with Health & Safety laws, you might not realise that this extends to managing health and safety risks associated with stress part and parcel. Sick leave must be granted so employees can care for their mental health just the same as they might for physical health.

What causes stress in the workplace?

There are many factors, of course, and pinning them all down is difficult or impossible. But we do know that little things can add up to a lot. Overheads of administration and ‘paperwork’ can contribute to that – nobody likes the hassle of paperwork, forms,

and interruptions to workflow. We’ve designed HSE Connect to make getting the overheads of good health and safety practices easier, faster and more convenient, eliminating one more potential source of stress from your workshop.

Regulation and compliance exists for a reason

This, really, is the crucial point. We need to separate H&S admin from H&S purpose. The admin is there and yes, it is a hassle, but it is there in support of the purpose of H&S. The point of H&S isn’t the admin or paperwork that we all hate, and which makes us think and say the things above. The point is and always was keeping people safe. And as we all know, regulatory compliance demonstrates that we’re walking the H&S talk.

Easing compliance improves safety

It is precisely in response to the hassle of the admin and the burden of ‘red tape’ that HSE Connect was formed. We’ve come up with a way to make H&S faster, more convenient, and easier. We’ve ditched the paperwork and put H&S record-keeping (and practices, and reinforcement of good process and procedures) on mobile devices, so you can ditch the idea that H&S is a pain. When the record-keeping gets easier, the workshop gets safer.

Peace of mind, thanks to HSE Connect

HSE Connect’s easy-to-use software already provides peace of mind to thousands of MTA members. Members get discounted pricing and free set-up.

Find out more here: www.hseconnect.co/mta or call HSE Connect on 022 643 1832.

Political ups and downs: a rollercoaster time in politics

New Zealand’s political landscape was rocked last month when the Associate Minister of Transport and Justice Minister, Kiri Allan, was forced to step down from her post. Allan’s resignation came on the heels of a string of Government tough-oncrime announcements, making for a narrative you couldn’t fabricate if you tried. A Justice Minister, accused of drink-driving, being involved in a car crash, and facing charges of careless use of a motor vehicle and refusal to accompany a police officer.

Despite the breath test revealing a level typically met with a simple on-the-spot fine, the repercussions were far more profound. It led to a reshuffling of cabinet by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, marking a pivotal moment in this tumultuous political climate.

To really appreciate the severity of Labour’s current predicament, let’s revisit the rollercoaster ride that has been 2023: PM Ardern quit in January, Education Minister Jan Tinetti was found to have lied to Parliament in February, Police Minister Stuart Nash was sacked in March,

Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri joined the Maori Party and was sacked as a Minister in May, Transport Minister Michael Wood failed to declare shareholding interests and resigned in June, Health Minister Ayesha Verrall lied to Parliament the same month, and now Allan’s drinkdriving scandal in July. It’s been an unruly first seven months, to say the least.

Meanwhile David Parker, the new Transport Minister, has opted to step back from his beloved Revenue portfolio. The decision came as a surprise to many, with Hipkins revealing the decision was Parker’s own, made to “free him up to focus on transport”. Yet, it’s not too far-fetched to believe that Parker’s known disagreements over tax policy may have been a more likely motivator.

Headache for PM

This revenue revolt has created another significant headache for Hipkins. Already dealing with a deluge of crises with MPs rushing for the Cabinet exit, the last thing he needed was a skirmish within the remaining ranks. Particularly as Labour

increasingly hinges its election hopes on its upcoming tax policy. Was this Parker’s petulant and ill-timed display of personal principle? After all, 11 weeks before a general election is a poor time to suddenly develop a backbone, especially when your party is looking decidedly frayed around the edges.

Parker’s tenure as a two-times Environment Minister, during which he championed stringent environmental regulations, gives us some insight into his modus operandi. Will his traditional approach be replicated in transport policy? It’s a fair bet that he’ll will be extra-committed to achieving the emissions reductions plan. This development could bring implications for our sector, with several significant decisions expected prior to the election in our space. Among these are the decisions on the implementation of Euro6 standards, the Government Policy Statement for Transport, and several others. Joining him in the transport

arena will be Damien O’Connor, the newly minted Associate Transport Minister.

Simultaneously, National Party leader Chris Luxon struggles to impress the electorate. Everyone who meets Luxon says the same: the Chris you see on TV and in the media is different to the Chris you met in real life. His campaign has now adapted from this and is aimed at introducing Kiwis to the ‘real Chris Luxon’. This has seen him conduct town hall meetings across the country, attracting hundreds of people to each meeting – often standing room only. Yet, it seems the enthusiasm isn’t reciprocated by the voters in the polls. With just 70 days until election

day, one thing I can promise, is it's going to be an intriguing ride through the next few months. Despite witnessing a monumental governmental crisis - the likes of which we’ve seldom seen - the electorate appears curiously subdued, showing little enthusiasm for the alternatives on offer.

Speculation

This may well be a symptom of the pandemic era, a general erosion of trust and faith in politicians and the machinery of politics. Such speculation, however, remains just that –speculation. Yet, I can’t shake the sense that we’re grappling with a crisis of authenticity here.

Masters of mats & towels.

Masters of mats & towels.

Today’s political chaos eerily echoes the seismic meltdown of the Muldoon saga in 1984, a period marked by the most socialist regime this country has ever seen. While we’ve yet to reach those levels of upheaval, the present turmoil isn’t far off. Parties at the fringes of our political spectrum, namely ACT and the Te Pāti Māori, should theoretically be sounding the alarm across the nation. Maybe they are? However, it’s clear that the voters’ gaze will inevitably turn towards these more radical alternatives as long as Labour and National continue to underwhelm. Only time will tell how this political saga unfolds.

A professional-looking company always has clean mats and towels, which is why so many businesses turn to Apparelmaster. We can provide you with a wide variety of mat and towelling rental and laundry solutions, to keep you looking on top of your game.

A professional-looking company always has clean mats and towels, which is why so many businesses turn to Apparelmaster. We can provide you with a wide variety of mat and towelling rental and laundry solutions, to keep you looking on top of your game.

NEW ZEALAND, COVERED AT WORK

To find out more, call 0800 808 820 or visit online at apparelmaster.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND, COVERED AT WORK

To find out more, call 0800 808 820 or visit online at apparelmaster.co.nz

Fuel and Heavy Vehicle sector

Support after drunk-drive service station damage

One of the main tenets of MTA is to support our members as best we can.

So, when Dhruv Dewan’s National Park Service Station was hit by a suspected drunk driver last month, knocking out two fuel dispensers, MTA member services officers contacted him to check in and offer our support.

As details of the incident were shared by the team with membership advisor Danny Garrick and myself, we decided the best course of action would

be to contact Dhruv and arrange a visit to offer onsite support.

On a crisp clear July day, Danny and I travelled to National Park and met with Dhruv and his wife as he relayed the whole ordeal. It was obviously a spine-chilling experience for him.

As Dhruv was counting out the day’s take, he saw the headlights of a vehicle heading at speed towards his service station.

Even more frightening was the realisation it was on course with the cashier section of the shop. The vehicle came through an

intersection at speed, losing control, hitting the curb and continuing into the forecourt where it collided with fuel dispensers two and three, destroying them. None of the staff were injured and surprisingly no one in the car was injured. Emergency services responded to the incident within 15 minutes and the driver of the car was arrested on site for excess breath alcohol.

As the photos show, the vehicle was stopped from hitting the shop by the fuel dispensers.

The aftermath of a drunk driver at National Park Service Station. Photos supplied.

Dhruv has praise for the response from his fuel supplier GAS and their service providers ECL to his situation. His insurers have been understanding and supportive throughout the ongoing situation. Dhruv says he is also grateful for MTA’s quick response and the follow-up visit. Having people support and check on his wellbeing, his staff’s wellbeing and the business, has helped immensely in a time of unplanned disruption, he says.

Prior to the incident Dhruv was in the planning stages of developing the site and our visit has led to further collaboration with MTA to help grow the business – a nice silver lining.

His business is the hub of a widely dispersed community in National Park, and it supplies fuel and groceries for the residents of the central plateau. There isn’t another service station within 35 kilometres, so it is an important resource for the community, and aside from the disruption, foot traffic in the shop was non-stop as it was school holidays when we visited.

It was encouraging to see a member’s business being well supported, and for us to get out and show some solidarity too.

WoFs – the buck stops with YOU

Recent events around illegal Warrant of Fitness inspections involving an MTA member have highlighted the consequences if the rules are not followed.

With this in mind, I thought it would be timely to offer MTA members some solutions if you are faced with the situation where an approved vehicle inspector isn’t available. Everyone needs a break, and if you are planning on taking some time out away from your shop and your doors are still open with no licenced inspector available there are several options available.

A bit of planning can go be beneficial to your business and to your customers. If you have a break planned on a certain date, why not look at your customers’ WoF expiry dates either from your software solution, or from previous inspections, and contact them to come in earlier prior to their expiry date?

Advise customers you are closed or are not able to conduct WoF

inspections around the time their WoF is due to expire. Getting them in a few weeks early would not be much of an inconvenience to your customers, and then you can post-date the WoF to assist.

Another option could be collaborating with another workshop close to yours that you can arrange a contra deal or business arrangement with. This could work in both parties’ favour, and you could then help the other workshop if they are in the same situation.

Come to an arrangement that they will conduct your warrants while you are not able to, and you could offer the same in return if they are in a similar position in the future. Give MTA’s member services officers a call if you need help to

find your nearest MTA member. They will be able to put you in touch with someone.

Best solution

The best solution to the problem is to have more appointed vehicle inspectors within your business.

In October 2023 the price for sitting your inspection certification with Waka Kotahi is set to be removed and if you are looking to appoint a new vehicle inspector, MTA can help with our WoF training and QMS solution. Understanding the ramifications of having non-certified personal carrying out WoF inspections needs to be clearly understood. Even one warrant inspected and entered into WoF online by noncertified staff is an offence. The consequences when this is picked up by Waka Kotahi will be detrimental to your business. Having a criminal record attached to you will have longlasting limitations that are not worth the risk for the sake of a few dollars for a Warrant of Fitness inspection.

As the previous articles around non-compliant personnel conducting WoFs clearly outline, it is an offence to undertake this practice, and if you as the business owner hold the inspection organisation certification, the buck stops with you.

Training and Development

The benefits of inclusion and diversity

Last month, we focused on generations in the workplace and the key values of each generation. Now let’s look at inclusion and diversity, which can help attract youth and new talent, as well as keep your existing staff.

Both Millennials and Gen Z consider inclusion and diversity as a key consideration when joining a company.

Many businesses are recognising the value and benefits of inclusion and diversity. By embracing individuals from various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, companies can enhance their innovation, problem-solving and creativity, and essentially drive their businesses to success.

In this article, I’ll also discuss the importance of addressing workplace bullying and promoting work-life balance for overall wellbeing.

Numerous studies have shown the positive impact of inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

Diversity Works New Zealand says an inclusive workplace creates a collaborative and productive environment. Encouraging diversity grows productivity because your team will be more motivated, innovative and creative.

Both inclusion and diversity lead to higher employee engagement, better decision-making, collaboration, and helps achieve the goals you have in your business - as well as reducing the risk of staff turnover.

To grow an inclusive and diverse workplace, it’s crucial to address workplace bullying. According to a survey in August 2022 by the Human Rights Commission, 20 percent of workers said they were bullied in the previous 12 months, and 44 percent of workers have been witnesses to workplace bullying.

Bullying in the workplace can be defined in several ways and is often referred to as either overt or covert bullying. Overt bullying is usually obvious, such as verbal abuse, shouting, personal insults, humiliating or belittling people in front of others or making threats. Covert bullying is often difficult to detect. Covert bullies are great manipulators and often aim to undermine another by withholding information, freezing out or isolating, deliberately talking to third parties to discount or minimalise another’s work, spreading malicious rumours or excessive criticism and monitoring of a colleague’s work.

Bullying reduces productivity and employee wellbeing, and increases turnover. Many businesses have robust antibullying policies to build a culture of respect, and provide training to employees on recognising and reporting bullying.

Loretta.thompson@mta.org.nz

Employment New Zealand and Diversity Works New Zealand offer tools, resources, and support to create an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Work-life balance

It’s equally important to prioritise work-life balance to create a healthy and productive work environment. Employees who have good work-life balance are more engaged, less stressed, and have a higher level of job satisfaction. Work-life balance initiatives such as flexible work hours, remote work options, and wellbeing programmes can significantly improve overall employee happiness and productivity.

Our workforce has become, and will continue to be, diverse. Businesses that recognise and promote inclusion and diversity in the workplace, and stamp out bullying, retain their personnel and attract new talent in the process.

Collision Repair sector

Intelligent Speed Assistance: a journey to safer roads

In July 2024 every new vehicle sold in the European Union must have a built-in anti-speeding system, this is also known as Intelligent Speed Assistance or ISA. This technology is another safety feature that is controlled by Artificial Intelligence (AI) which is now ingrained in our modern vehicles across all price points and from all manufactures who sell cars in New Zealand. As countries look to reduce road fatalities, ISA may become mandatory across more regions. The potential positive impact on road safety is significant. The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) calculates that a 1km/h reduction in speed would save 2,100 lives per year across Europe and that effective ISA alone would reduce casualties by 20 percent. But, as with all safety measures, there are

additional implications that all drivers and businesses need to be aware of to maximise the safety opportunity and avoid creating other potential hazards. (As posted by Drivetech 15/08/22.) So, what is ISA and will it become mandatory in New Zealand? ISA describes a range of safety features that can detect, read, and adjust the vehicles’ speed limits. This system works via front-mounted cameras, GPS or both. Depending on the ISA and how it’s set up, the technology can provide audio reminder feedback about the speed limit, automatically adjust cruise control, even automatically reduce power to the motor to slow speeding vehicles to match the road’s speed limit. ISA can be traced back to France in the early 1980s but at that time it was a system that

Larry.fallowfield@mta.org.nz

was manually set by the driver. You may remember this as the beeping or ‘bing bing’ sound that you heard when you exceeded the speed limit; it was introduced to vehicles in New Zealand as far back as the early 2000s. With the introduction of AI into vehicle safety systems and road signage, this technology has rapidly advanced into what we have today. Some front-facing cameras can read an AI road sign and automatically reduce your speed, when combined with GPS-tracked speed limits, this dramatically increases the accuracy of ISA.

We currently already have AI technology signs and as Government departments or policies are introduced, we could see a rapid increase in the roll-out of more signs to accommodate this fast-moving safety change.

The introduction of ISA could bring about significant benefits in road safety, but there is still more advancement work to be done, not only with ISA technology but also with signage, accurate GPS road speed limits and vehicle data updates. The real effectiveness of ISA heavily relies on accurate and up-to-date speed limit data, which may not always be available, especially in New Zealand's rural areas.

If we are to see mandatory ISA here, there will need to be significant changes in roading

infrastructure, signage, vehicle age, driver ability and vehicle technology.

If you have driven New Zealand roads recently, you would have seen the challenges in keeping our infrastructure maintained. If you add in the future challenges that the modern vehicle creates through safety features like lane assist, where the width and/or size of lines, along with having clear white shoulder lines, could affect the performance of lane assist, having road signage at regular intervals or having up-to-date roading data, then there is a lot of work required to keep our roading up to international safety standards.

I was talking to a colleague recently about wet weather driving and how bad we are in Auckland; he said he struggled to see the white lines in the rain, something he never experienced back in Ireland. So maybe not all Auckland or Kiwi drivers are

Low Dust. Improved Product. Improved Range.

bad, maybe our roading plays its part in creating worse driving situations. Unfortunately there are a lot of factors that need to improve before we see systems like ISA positively impacting on our current road fatality rate.

That’s it – I’m out!

There’s been a bit of an epidemic of similar announcements from others in the industry in recent times. Something in the water perhaps? I’m certainly not aware of any master plan in that sense and perhaps it’s purely coincidental.

It’s quite a change for me to be stepping out of an industry that’s treated me well for the last four decades and while pondering the idea of retiring I spoke to a few people that are already in that state.

The responses were largely in the manner of “never regretted it, and wish I’d done it earlier”. Comforting, but I’ll have to wait and see if that’s how it pans out for me.

Entrepreneurs

I have enjoyed working in our industry. It is typified by entrepreneurs who will give anything a go. They’re the type of people who search for the opportunities and take the chance. I admire that, perhaps because I’ve never been brave enough to step outside the relative comforts of ‘working for the man’.

It seems I will now have to adapt to a new way of life after decades in an industry that has always been very adaptive. Mostly through necessity simply because it’s a case of adapt or quit.

That said, some operators are showing signs of strain these days as they try to do what they have always done so well – adapt. The scale and depth of change we are now facing is bigger than we have ever encountered. The vehicle itself is changing, retail operating models are in flux, the concepts of vehicle ownership and access is being challenged, and transport systems are evolving in multiple directions, and the car is increasingly being discouraged from the centres of larger cities. The pace of change is also accelerating. We no longer have the luxury of navigating one change at a time. Rather than letting matters evolve, the regulators have contributed by pushing the ideas via what seems to have been an endless chain of proposals, which manifest in my world in the form of submissions. All the relevant industry associations do their best to apply influence where they can, but most often those efforts seem to be to no avail.

Industry proved right

A perfect example would be the changes to finance laws about 18 months ago. During the lead-up, the industry said the ideas were excessive, would be counter-productive and would miss the mark. Within a week of implementation, the industry was proved right. They slowly and

reluctantly wound back some of the changes – but not fully.

Clean Car Discount (CCD) might be another example – “a toosuccessful policy” according to one commentary as programme changes were recently announced (only 16 months after launch) to address the gaping financial ‘pot-hole’ that had developed. And with almost no warning (two months) industry now faces the task of realigning activity to fit the new paradigm. And chances are CCD may have to be revised again even before industry has fully adapted to that last round.

Change is a fact of life - we all know that.

But do we need to change everything? It sometimes seems that anything developed in the past is somehow now wrong. Case in point, many years ago we were told the teaching of reading and arithmetic was all wrong and it needed to be changed. Twenty years later, we now ‘read’ that those new ideas were a failure, and we need to go back to the old ways. A failure of generational impact.

Maybe new is not always best –just saying.

With that I move enthusiastically toward my next life phase.

Best wishes everyone and I watch with great interest to see how things go.

Retirement beckons and the wide-open space across the ditch, for a while at least.

Market overview

New vehicles

A total of 6,202 units in July, 44 percent below same month last year, due to the advance registration activity that occurred in June on the back of CCD changes. The market is down 2.2 percent across the seven months of the year.

4,347 new passenger vehicles, down 46 percent on same month last year, and up 1 percent YTD.

1,855 new commercial registrations - down 39 percent versus same month last year, and down 10 percent YTD.

The result this month reflects the consequences of the large sales numbers recorded in June as buyers acted in advance to avoid changes to the Clean Car Discount settings, which took effect 1 July 2023. In short, the market was ‘pulled forward’.

Brand performance

Toyota again led the market by a good margin. YTD Toyota holds a dominant 20 percent share across the first seven months - almost double that of the next best contender.

No brand set records for the month. That said, Chinese brand Chery made it’s appearance in the New Zealand new market, but with only two registrations which will reflect initial distributor action. Across the first half of the year almost all brands in the ‘top 10’ list are ahead versus same point last year, with Mitsubishi and Mercedes-Benz being the obvious exceptions.

Top 10 New Vehicle Brands - July 2023

Volkswagen's new EV model, the ID.4, made a solid first appearance with 63 registrations.

Top 15 models included: 10 SUV, 2 Ute, 2 Car and 1 Van. Ford Everest had a particularly strong result in July - its best tally in over a year.

Drive technology mix:

ICE 61 percent, Hybrid 19 percent, EV 13 percent, and PHEV 7 percent.

Hybrid: 1,183 units including: 307 RAV4, 113 Hyundai Tucson, 75 Honda Jazz, 61 Toyota CH-R and 58 Toyota Highlander.

EV:828 including: 169 Tesla Model Y, 147 Kia Niro, 63 VW ID.4, 60 BYD ATTO3 and 35 Tesla Model 3.

PHEV: 406 including: 141 Mitsubishi Outlander, 89 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, 27 Lexus NZ, 20 Mini Countryman and 16 BMW Series 2.

Top 15 New Models - July 2023

Tony Everett04 381 8827

Used import vehicles

6,836 units in July, down 21 percent versus same month last year. YTD the used import sector is down 13 percent.

6,497 used import passenger vehicles in July, down 21 percent on same month last year.

339 used import commercial registrations, down 17 percent on same month last year.

The result this month reflects the consequences of the large sales numbers recorded in June as buyers acted in advance to avoid changes to the Clean Car Discount settings, which took effect 1 July 2023. In short, the market was 'pulled forward'.

Brand and model performance

Toyota dominated with 3,386 units (49 percent share), followed by Nissan 929, Mazda 658, Honda 553, and Subaru 199.

Top 15 models included: 11 cars, 3 SUV, and 1 Van.

Toyota Aqua remains dominant with 18 percent of the used import market in July.

Point of interest - Hybrid outsold ICE to claim the dominant position in July.

DRIVE TECHNOLOGY MIX:

Hybrid 56 percent, ICE 37 percent

EV 4 percent and PHEV 3 percent.

Hybrid: 3,806 units including:

1,236 Aqua, 795 Prius, 250 Toyota Corolla, 217 Honda Fit and 158 Toyota CH-R.

EV: 298 units including: 274 Leaf, 3 Tesla Model S/Smart Fortwo/ Nissan E-NV200.

PHEV: 174 units including: 117 Outlander, 28 Prius, 7 RAV4, and 6 BMW 330E.

Top 10 Used Import Models – July 2023

Motorcycles

556 new motorcycle registrations in July, down 17 percent on same month last year, and down 13 percent YTD.

81 used import motorcycle registrations, down 18 percent versus same month last year, but down 21 percent YTD.

Overall, the combined new and used import road market of 637 units was down 17 percent on same month last year, and down 14 percent YTD.

The motorcycle market reflects ongoing product shortages along with the tougher economic times and the cooler weather, which is less encouraging from a motorcycle perspective.

Brand and model performance

Honda took back the market leadership in July, and Honda leads YTD (715 vs 641).

Honda, Triumph, and Ducati are ahead across the first seven months of the year.

Outside the top 10, Harley-Davidson, Moto Guzzi and Indian are also ahead YTD.

Top-selling Models – July 2023

by Brand

Situations vacant - North Island Member classifieds

Auto mechanic, service technician – Wanganui

Guthries Auto Care Wanganui is looking for a qualified Automotive Mechanic and a Service Technician that can diagnose, problem solve and work unsupervised. Email your CV to guthriesauto@xtra.co.nz or contact Paul for more information 06 347 9881.

Panelbeaters and Painters – Auckland, Onehunga

Auckland Panel and Paint is expanding with new contracts, and requires additional top skilled tradesmen. Two branches in Auckland City and Onehunga. Great wages, with an emphasis on training (CRA Trainer of the year 2022). Benefits include Health care and flexible hours. Assistance with relocation if required. Ph: 021 888 000 or bob@rabon.co.nz.

Automotive technician/WoF – Taupo

Morrell Motors is an award winning, multi-franchise dealership requiring a qualified Automotive Technician to join our team. WoF certificate an advantage, not essential. Live in picturesque Taupo whilst working for a progressive company with ambitious growth. Contact Mark Morrell mark@morrellmotors.co.nz or phone 021 759 070.

Motorcycle technician – Tauranga

Bayride Motorcycles is on the hunt for an experienced mechanic, WoF authority preferred. We service Aprilia, Triumph and Yamaha motorcycles. Contact Catherine@bayride.co.nz 027 348 4792.

Automotive technician – Wellington

European vehicle workshop specialising in Porsche, looking for an experienced tech who is passionate about cars. The role requires problem solving and diagnose faults in a wide variety of modern and classic vehicles. Work ranges from basic service and WoF through to engine and gearbox rebuilds, auto electrical, performance modifications and electric cars. Email CV and cover letter to office@powerhaus.net.nz. Phone: 04 4998715.

Mechanic – Kumeu, Rodney

Small busy workshop looking for a mechanic with recognised qualification in the automotive industry or acceptable time served. WoF authority a bonus. Great communication skills and ability to work under pressure essential. Email Mike: admin@manukaautomotive.co.nz.

Motorcycle technician – Auckland Takapuna

Qualified technician required for busy Service department. Great team with a new well-equipped Service department. A WoF authority is preferred but not essential. Contact Sandra – sandra@cyclespot.co.nz.

Mechanic/WoF inspector – Kaikohe

Looking for a qualified automotive technician with WoF authority servicing and mechanical repairs. Clean New Zealand driver licence. Phone Richard 09 401 0155 or email CV to office@kaikohepanelbeaters.co.nz.

Mechanic – Taupo area

Qualified mechanic required for busy workshop. Must be able to work unsupervised. A WoF authority is preferred but not essential. Great team with new, well-equipped workshop. Contact Heather on 027 244 2331.

Senior technician – Tauranga

Herbs Vehicle Repairs are in search for a Senior Technician to join our team in our Central Tauranga based workshop. If you are capable of carrying out all types of mechanical repairs in our busy workshop that will keep our customers happy then we would like to hear from you. Please contact us at herbstauranga@gmail.com or call us on 07 577 6535.

Automotive technician - Auckland

Giltrap Nissan (Auckland) part of the Giltrap Group is seeking a Qualified Auto Technician with fulltime WoF Inspector certificate. We offer a wellequipped workshop along with continuous and ongoing training. To apply, please email your CV to Javed at: jsoyab@giltrapnissan.co.nz.

Estimator/Branch manager – Auckland

Auckland Panel & Paint Group Ltd require an individual with a proven track record. Hours are Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5pm · Strong experience in panel and paint estimating · Familiarity with IAG systems and processes. · Industry software knowledge including ORM and Partstrader · Excellent time management and accurate record keeping skills · Good eye for detail and a focus on customer satisfaction. Knowledge of the iBodyshop estimating system would be an advantage. A competitive salary package will be offered. A relocation allowance is negotiable for candidates within New Zealand. Applicants for this position should be a NZ citizen or permanent resident. Contact Ph: 021 888 000 or bob@rabon.co.nz.

Qualified mechanic – Birkenhead

Busy workshop looking for a qualified mechanic to work on various makes of cars. Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 4:30pm. Wof authority preferred, but not essential. Email CV to birkenheadcarrepairs@xtra.co.nz

Auto electrician – Gisborne

Gisborne Autoelectrics currently have an exciting opportunity for a qualified auto electrician or apprentice. We specialise in commercial and private motor vehicles. Email dani@gisborneautoelectrics.co.nz or Phone 06 868 8012.

Automotive technician – Havelock North

We require a mechanic with WoF authority, not frightened of being busy and can work on a variety of vehicles. Must be reliable and trustworthy. Email: mcclintockmotors2014@gmail.com if interested along with your c.v.

Oil change/ battery fitment mechanic –Auckland (Henderson)

Lubeking/Battery Express is looking for a vehicle servicing and battery fitment mechanic (Entry Level Role). Mechanically minded person with basic workshop experience, basic computer skills and good customer service. Full NZ Drivers licence required. This is a fulltime role with Saturday morning work. Email CV and cover letter to: lubekingbookings@gmail.com

Automotive technician – New Plymouth

A great opportunity for a motivated, qualified technician to join our growing team. You will have a full drivers license, be trade and WoF certified or have the ability to obtain. No weekend work is required. Phone: 06 758 3535.

Automotive technician/mechanic – Hastings

DC Autocare require an experienced technician/mechanic. A busy workshop servicing all makes and models We are Hastings’ VTNZ Certified Repairer. Full NZ drivers licence. NZ or equivalent automotive qualifications (3rd year apprentices will be considered) Ability to work unsupervised. Email CV to admin@dcautocare.co.nz or contact Dylan 06 878 8138.

Mechanic/WoF Inspector – Auckland

Busy Automotive workshop - Auckland Howick Central. Are seeking a mechanic with any experience. Contact Vlad: 021 261 2604 or email: info@somarservice.co.nz.

Automotive technician – Northland

Busy workshop looking for an Automotive Technician preferably with WoF authority. Contact Luke on 021 111 5683.

Senior technician/ Foreman - Papamoa

Work, play and enjoy life on the beach in Papamoa. Relocation costs may be subsidised. For a qualified, 10yrs+ experienced mechanic, we offer a competitive remuneration. Send CV to jobs@coastalautos.nz.

Automotive mechanic/technician – Manukau City

We are a busy workshop who prides themselves on quality workmanship and customer service. Needs to be able to work unsupervised, have good diagnostic skills and be able to work on a wide range of vehicles and a good command of English and a full driver licence with NZ residency or a valid work visa. Email: workshop@autoking.co.nz or phone: 09 262 1271.

Estimator – Wellington

If you have automotive industry experience and you are committed to providing exceptional customer service, then we want you. The role has responsibility for detailed estimates. Also involves liaising with technicians on requirements for parts and/or specialist sub-contractors. Send CV and cover letter to Mike Tustin at enquiries@tustins.co.nz or call 021-771 685.

Parts advisor – Matamata

We are requring a parts advisor to join our dynamic team of eight. This role involves finding, ordering and delivery of parts. Please contact us on 07 888 7579 or office@onsiteae.co.nz.

Automotive technician - Pahiatua

We are looking for a motivated, qualified technician to join our small friendly team. A WoF authority is preferred but not essential. Contact Kevin at laskeysauto@xtra.co.nz. or 021 803 238.

Service advisor – Papamoa

To ensure customers have an excellent experience, you’ll be a person who is passionate about providing outstanding customer service. Email your CV to jobs@coastalautos.nz.

Mechanic/ AVI – Kapiti Coast

We are looking for a new mechanic, or suitably qualified person to join our team. NZ licence and residency minimum requirements for the job. AVI preferred, or someone who can get certified. Class 2 and 6 licences an advantage. Scan tool experience a plus too. A decent wage and conditions offered. We have a random drug test regime and the 90-day clause applies. Apply with CV to Dayal at gckapiti@gmail.com or call: 021 329257

Automotive technician – Gisborne

We are looking for an experienced technician who prides themselves on quality workmanship and outstanding service. By joining us you get a modern workshop with comprehensive diagnostic equipment and ongoing training and development with our Nissan, Isuzu and Hyundai franchises. Send your CV to Justin @ justin.kent@enterprisemg.co.nz.

WoF Inspector/technician – Tauranga

Earn more money then you are currently, come and work with us. We offer a family friendly environment. Email: tauranga@midasnz.co.nz. Phone: 021 102 9743.

Automotive technician/WoF Inspector – Te Aroha

Immediate start. Qualified or equivalent experience and WoF authority required. Excellent working conditions. Please email CV to: service@summitmotors.co.nz or call Garth on 021 511 911.

Mechanic – Woodville

We’re looking for a qualified mechanic to join our busy country workshop. Focused on friendly service, we cover diagnostics to engineering. WoF certification beneficial but not essential. Phone: 06 376 5239.

Situations vacantSouth Island

Automotive technician – South Canterbury

We are the South Canterbury Honda service centre, after hours AA roadside contractor and carry out salvaging throughout the district. The successful applicant needs to hold a full driver’s licence, have excellent diagnostic skills, time management and be a team player. Call Alan on 027 228 9584 or email alan@vaughanmotors.co.nz.

Automotive technician – 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.

Automotive technician – Dunedin

Dj Auto is looking for an experienced technician to work along side three young men. The ideal candidate would be adaptable and have a passion for cars or engineering. Position would be 25-40 hours per week. Contact Thomas Laue on 03 4730 068.

Mechanic/WoF Inspector – Balclutha

Seeking a full time qualified, motivated Automotive Technician to join our friendly team at our busy workshop, hours: Monday to Friday. Preferably with WoF authority. Full NZ drivers’ licence. We service all makes and models. Phone Allan Finch on 027 768 6697.

Automotive technician – Tasman

We are looking for a Senior qualified technician to join our team. Preferably with WoF authority. We are a mechanical workshop/service station and AA Breakdown contractor. We would offer assistance with relocation and finding accommodation. Email chris.perrysauto@gmail. com with CV or contact owner Chris Atkins 021 540 286.

Automotive technician – Invercargill

New car dealership, Southland Vehicle Sales has a long term opportunity available for a qualified mechanic to join the team working on Kia and Hyundai vehicles. Contact Mark Lee on 021 0832 3373 or mark@leerecruitment.co.nz.

Automotive technician – Kaiapoi

A busy general repair workshop looking for an experienced technician, with a current WoF certificate. Contact Jason on 027 918 8685

Qualified mechanic - Christchurch

We require a fully qualified mechanic with current warrant of fitness inspector ticket. Email: office@blighsroadservicestation.co.nz Phone: 021 085 64498.

Diesel mechanic – Wyndham

Enthusiastic diesel injection technician with common rail experience to join a thriving rural garage. The business boasts a fully equipped diesel fuel injection facility. Generous package to reflect the experience of the applicant, with a possibility for future investment into the business. Email: redbarron222@gmail.com or phone 0272 417614.

Oil change/ battery fitment mechanic –Auckland (Henderson)

Lubeking/Battery Express is looking for a vehicle servicing and battery fitment mechanic (Entry Level Role). Mechanically minded person with basic workshop experience, basic computer skills and good customer service. Full NZ Drivers licence required. This is a fulltime role with Saturday morning work. Email CV and cover letter to: lubekingbookings@ gmail.com.

Motorcycle technician – Nelson

We require a qualified technician to work us in our well-established Honda dealership. The successful applicant will need to be honest and hardworking, have a clean driver’s licence, attention to detail and the ability to work with our existing staff of nine. Contact Ian on 027 221 9162.

Businesses for sale

Automotive Workshop/Service Station – Tasman

Situated in Mapua in the middle of the Tasman Bay. Area is growing rapidly and therefore lots of opportunity to grow an already very busy business. All equipment has been replaced over recent years. 20k invested this year alone. AA roadside contractor. Owner prepared to assist with transition and training etc. For more information call Chris 021 540 286 or email chris.perrysauto@gmail.com.

Automotive Workshop & Rental Car AgencyAuckland Northshore

Well established with strong customer base, operating since 1990. Automotive workshop 4 bay 2x2 post hoists, tyre bay, WoF site, brake lathe, SAM computer system and more. International Rental Car agent. This is a 5 to 5-1/2 day operation with room to expand. Owner retiring. Please contact 0274 887721 for more information.

Heavy Vehicle Workshop – Greymouth

Looking for a lifestyle change and want to run your own business? Come to the affordable West Coast. A well established business with a strong and diverse customer base, service and quality workmanship. Service pit, pit jack, truck hoist and 2-post hoist for light vehicles. 3 qualified mechanics and an apprentice. Selling due to health and retirement only. Email office@dtmechanical.co.nz.

Panel Repair shop - Palmerston North

Well-equipped panel repair shop. Established over 55 years Owner retiring. Chassis machine, measuring system and hoist etc. Loyal customer base. Close to town centre. Phone: Terry 0274 844758.

Automotive Workshop – Auckland Mt Eden

Established 1980. Located Mine Road, Mt Eden Road. 2 x 2 post hoists 1 x 4 post hoist. Tyre bay with tyre and balance machine. WoF site. Just bring your own staff. High quality client base. For more information Email: johnbiparva@yahoo.com.

Automotive Workshop – Napier

A great opportunity to live and work in Napier. This Automotive Workshop has 4 bays with 2 hoists ( 1 x 4 & 1 x 2 post hoists ). Plenty of onsite parking and great location. For more information Call Glenn on 027 442 1090 or email info@taradaleservicecentre.co.nz.

Automotive Workshop – Hamilton.

Well established since 1997. 300sqm workshop with 3 hoists, 10+ car parks. Well setup workshop with a large client base and SAM computer software. All the equipment needed to succeed. Please call 021 790 651.

Automotive Workshop - Auckland Howick Central. Long time successful business. High customer base. 2x2 post hoists, one pit plus more. WoF site. For information email: info@somarservice.co.nz.

Automotive Workshop - Cannons Creek

Established 2000. - 3 bay workshop - 3 x two post hoists, - large amount of specialist equipment * 5 - 6 WoFs daily * Plenty of services and tune-ups * Brake repairs and scanning for faults and repairs * Good tyre sales. For further information contact Mike 027 484 1579 or Pasetto 0271 800 890.

Email: radiator@mta.org.nz

MTA Board of Directors 2023

samanthahsharif@gmail.com

MTA Membership Advisors

UPPER NORTH ISLAND

SOUTH AUCKLAND

CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND

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

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

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

LOWER SOUTH ISLAND

MIKE GREENE 027 497 1568 mike.greene@mta.org.nz

Sturrock Saunders sturrockcsaunders@gmail.com

Tony Allen tonysauto@xtra.co.nz

Tom Ruddenklau truddenklau@gmail.com

Samantha Sharif

Grant Woolford grantw@cyclespot.co.nz

Region coordinators and chairs

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 region executive committees meet every six weeks or so and all MTA members are more than welcome to attend. The more you get involved, the more you can benefit from membership. Just contact your coordinator or region chair 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

Dan Taylor Region Chair 022 014 7802 dan.taylor@toiohomai.ac.nz

Central West

James Candish Region Chair 027 226 3053 jc@vva.co.nz natalie.campbell@mta.org.nz

Northern region

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

Eastland

Rob Wilson Region Chair 021 268 1781 rob@supershoppealbany.co.nz

Southern Mainland

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

Leslie Baxter Region Chair 03 208 1234 leslie@carnabycars.co.nz

natalie.campbell@mta.org.nz

Cook Strait

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

Kelly Stephens Region Chair 027 366 0050 kstephens@hbtoyota.co.nz

Coast to Coast

027 682 4191 mel.tukapua@mta.org.nz

Aoraki East Coast

027 682 4191 mel.tukapua@mta.org.nz

021 706 503 hamish.miller@op.ac.nz

Small business. Big health insurance benefits.

nib in collaboration with Crombie Lockwood can now offer MTA member businesses of five or more employees the same access to big benefits usually reserved for groups of 15+ employees, including:

Immediate pre-existing conditions cover (excluding general exclusions, and Serious Condition Lump Sum option).

Waived stand down periods on GP, Dental & Optical and Specialist Options.

Extension of concessions to immediate family members of employees, when added within 90 days of policy commencement or marriage.

Available with Premier Health Business Which gives your employees cover for the big things such as surgical and medical hospital treatment – and can be tailored to include the cover options and subsidy levels they need.

For further information or for any tools to get you started, please get in touch with mta@crombielockwood.co.nz

Three brand new training programmes

Advance your skills

Enrolments are now open for our new suite of Level 5 training programmes. Designed in consultation with industry, these advanced training programmes offer experienced technicians the chance to level up their careers.

New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering (Level 5)

Safely and effectively carry out complex system fault diagnostics on light vehicles including cars, light commercial vehicles and light trailers and facilitate the repairs.

mito.nz/lightvehiclelevel5

New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (Level 5)

Safely and effectively carry out complex system fault diagnostics on heavy vehicles or machines and facilitate the repairs.

mito.nz/heavyvehiclelevel5

New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (Level 5)

Safely and effectively carry out complex system fault diagnostics and repair work on automotive electrical and electronic systems on vehicles or machines.

mito.nz/autoelectricallevel5