12. H V ROSS ROBERTSON (Labour—Manukau East) Link to this
to the Minister of Transport
What reports has she received on the Government’s recent announcement on vehicle noise?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Transport) Link to this
I have seen a report from the Motor Trade Association stating that it is fully behind the efforts of Minister Harry Duynhoven to push the objective noise-testing of vehicles that have modified exhaust systems. I have also seen a report from the Automobile Association supporting the 90-decibel limit being applied to newly imported vehicles but not to the existing vehicle fleet.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
What additional reports has the Minister seen on the Government’s recent announcement on vehicle noise?
I have seen reports from National Party member of Parliament Nicky Wagner stating that the 90-decibel limit should be applied to all cars. The Government considered this but found that between 50,000 and 150,000 ordinary Kiwi mums and dads would be seriously disadvantaged by having to pay up to $500 to fit a new exhaust system to their cars. These Kiwi mums and dads need to know what National wants to do to them. Perhaps the National has not figured out that the Government’s new measures will eventually reduce the noise level of the whole fleet within New Zealand without imposing punitive measures on ordinary Kiwi car owners.
Peter BrownIs the Minister aware that many of the people who operate excessively noisy cars literally thumb their noses at the law and often accumulate thousands of dollars in fines; if so, will she take any action to address the problem?
I need to assure the member that a lot of action is being taken. This measure is part of it, but there is also very strong police enforcement. Anybody who has been out in Christchurch with boy racers—as his colleague Mr Mark has; Mr Mark and I were out at the same time, in fact—will know that the police, along with the bailiffs, can remove cars from the road if their owners have not paid their fines. So I can assure the member that plenty is happening.