MTA puts the next Government on notice

It was the night the Bright Blue Badge came to the Beehive.

MTA launched its call to action for the next Government at Parliament on 9 May.

And people in power came to listen – Ministers, MPs, industry groups, MTA members.

Titled Driving New Zealand Forward: Future Proofing the Automotive Industry, the comprehensive publication outlines the challenges and issuing facing MTA members and the wider automotive industry.

It calls on the next Government to address the issues, proposes solutions, and makes clear that MTA stands ready to work with them.

Transport Minister Michael Wood was scheduled to speak at the event but flew to Auckland to respond to extreme weather events there.

Associate Transport Minister Kiritapu Allan was a most able last-minute replacement, despite her own busy schedule.

National Transport spokesperson Simeon Brown, Green Party Transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter, and their ACT counterpart Simon Court also spoke at the event.

All speakers addressed the key points of the document, some in support, some in opposition –but the debate was healthy and robust.

MTA President Bob Boniface also gave an address, while member Dave Boot gave an impressive mihi and MTA Chief Executive Lee Marshall emceed the event.

In his speech, Bob said that “safe cars, safe air, safe roads” must be the underlying goal for the next Government.

“Our manifesto tabled tonight covers quite a range of policy priorities, some in high-profile areas, and many in the detail of transactional machinery, fair processes etc.”

Bob added a conversation around emissions testing and servicing must be a priority for the incoming Government, their Ministries, MTA and other sector representatives.

More than 150 people attended, with media also in attendance.

What’s inside?

The document – dubbed the ‘MTA manifesto’ within the organisation – is the product of months of hard work, consultation, analysis and insight. Members and staff across MTA have been involved in its production. A copy will soon be sent to every MTA member.

The brainchild of MTA Advocacy and Stakeholder Manager Brian Anderton and co-authored and designed by Media and PR Manager Simon Bradwell, the manifesto is a comprehensive examination of the automotive industry.

Members were consulted for their first-hand experiences, while MTA Sector Managers and others gave their expertise.

The manifesto is divided into four sections, or as they’ve been called in the document, Roads: People, Safety, The Future, and Strong, Fair Markets (see page 42 for more information).

Amongst the biggest calls made by MTA:

Phase out the Clean Car Discount

Defer the Clean Car Standard

Reset the Warrant of Fitness

Expand the Green List

Mandate emissions testing

Accelerate EV training

Five MTA members also feature on the pages, after generously sharing their personal experiences and recommendations from the front line.

Lee Marshall responded admirably to the wave of media interest, doing interviews across a range of outlets.

He even managed to nail an interview with Mike Hosking at 7.15am the next day – success indeed.

What’s next?

The work doesn’t stop with the Beehive event. This laid out our calls to the next Government –now we follow up on them with the respective Ministries and Government agencies.

MTA will also be working to keep the issues in front of the media and the public.

Once the election has been held in October, MTA will be working with the new Ministers with influence in our industry.

Copies

‘Driving