March issue out now

The NZTA’s failings are firmly under the microscope. VIA raises concerns about the way it operates to officials, such as the need to properly assess entry compliance, enforce legislation, police procedures and tackle staff turnover. Autofile investigates four reviews into improving the agency.

Trade Me has mapped out the road ahead in regards to its buy-out by a private-equity investment group at the same time as announcing record revenue of $132.2m. A vote on the proposal is due in April.

MITO is opposing government proposals to overhaul vocational education, which include abolishing industry training organisations (ITOs) and replacing them with “industry skills bodies”. There are concerns the changes will exacerbate skills shortages, and undermine the apprenticeship and training system. Plus: industry reaction.

After suffering debilitating chemical poisoning while running his own panel-beating business, Steve Ward had no difficulty switching his focus to the market for used cars. He went onto be among New Zealand’s first parallel importers and was famed for his showdowns with the NZTA.

Statistics obtained by Autofile show 13 live BMSBs were intercepted by biosecurity officers in the first half of the high-risk season. But mystery remains as to where most of them hitched rides on ships to here because the country of lading was classed as “unknown” by the MPI for 28 interceptions. 

Toyota Gazoo Racing’s GR sports car series is set to be launched in New Zealand later this year, the company revealed at Detroit Motor Show, while there was plenty of visions of the future at the CES to keep petrol-heads absorbed.

Plus: Plug wars over electric cars, motorsport, industry movers and in-depth industry statistics.