THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984

February issue out now

The government has started its review of the clean car discount, which is focusing on balancing rebates and fees “while ensuring its continued effectiveness”. It was always designed to be self-funding in the longer term, so it comes as no surprise much more in subsidies has been paid out than money received from charges.

Waka Kotahi has given advice to importers on avoiding inputting errors that can result in fees being wrongly charged under the clean car standard. Agency staff have found several common mistakes on certification forms that are preventable with extra diligence. 

The team at Tyrewise is only months away from seeing the roll-out of a product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres. A four-month trial in Hawke’s Bay was completed at the end of December and the programme should be officially launched nationwide later this year.

Kit Wilkerson explains why the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) has formally requested exemptions from the government’s clean-car policies for wheelchair accessible models. “The impact on quality of life for individuals who need them to have independence exceeds quantifiability.” 

A number of dealerships, including Archibald & Shorter North Shore, have been left counting the cost of record deluges in Auckland after flooding damaged vehicles and showrooms.

Tony Everett, of the Motor Trade Association (MTA), examines the new pressures the clean car standard is imposing on importers and comes up with some sage advice for dealers, especially when it comes to emissions values.

MTF Finance has announced it is buying Lending People – a fintech online brokerage – as part of plans to improve its digital offering and lending experience to customers across all channels.

A manager of investigations at MBIE explains why an unregistered motor-vehicle trader was fined $8,000 for selling 44 vehicles during a 12-month period when the maximum sentence for an individual under the law is $50,000.

The government’s decision to add skilled motor mechanics to the immigration green list from March is a breakthrough for an automotive industry battling a crippling labour shortage, says the MTA.

• David Vinsen, VIA’s chief executive, says consumer confidence will be a key factor for the automotive industry moving forward.

• Eight apprentices have the chance to join the crew of MITO ambassadors Hayden Paddon and Emma Gilmour at four NZ Rally Championship races.

• Todd Fuller, of AdTorque Edge, explains why dealers need to ensure they set some spend aside for ad creative. 

• NZ Automotive Investments reports a commercial bank has extended its retail trade finance facility.

• Ex-board member Ewan Morris has received lifetime membership of Drive Electric. Plus: Industry movers, disputes, motorsport, in-depth statistics and much more.

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Autofile magazine 2026 / 5
May ’26

VIA’s chief executive explains why used imports should be spared from the clean vehicle standard (CVS) and urges the coalition to focus on measures that encourage fleet renewal. Greig Epps&rsquo

Magazine04 May, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 4
April ’26

MITO bosses tell Autofile what its priorities and challenges are now the training organisation is under industry ownership, with getting more learners into automotive careers and keeping them up to da

Magazine06 Apr, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 3
March ’26

The number of used imports attracting border damage flags has more than doubled in the past year, despite the volume of cars coming into New Zealand dropping. VIA, which is in talks with the NZTA abou

Magazine05 Mar, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 2
February ’26

The Motor Trade Association is lobbying for a maximum age of 10 years by 2030 for used cars coming into New Zealand to act as a safety proxy for entrants to the fleet. Find out why with Autofile. T

Magazine04 Feb, 2026
Autofile magazine 2026 / 1
January ’26

The government is being warned older cars will stay in the fleet for longer if ADAS mandates prevent safer models being imported, with industry associations also calling for realistic transition times

Magazine13 Jan, 2026
Autofile magazine 2025 / 12
December ’25

Regulators give their advice to loan providers in the automotive space as oversight of the non-banking sector is set to transfer from the Commerce Commission to the Financial Markets Authority. We

Magazine04 Dec, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 11
November ’25

Autofile talks to experts about the downturn as dealer numbers drop, some sectors suffer more than others and the risk of liquidations is “fairly high”. It’s not all bad news, though

Magazine05 Nov, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 10
October ’25

The number of registered traders has fallen to a 13-year low amid conditions many describe as among the toughest New Zealand’s vehicle market has experienced. We talk to three experts about what

Magazine05 Oct, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 9
September ’25

The industry has broadly welcomed a major revamp of the clean car standard. The government plans to scrap the weight-adjustment system for imported passenger and light commercial vehicles. It will als

Magazine07 Sep, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 8
August ’25

Finance providers and car dealers are hoping “necessary” reforms of lending laws will bring a period of consolidation for the sector after numerous changes over the past decade. We look in

Magazine04 Aug, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 7
July ’25

Drive Electric says New Zealand risks missing out on a $100 billion-plus economic opportunity over the next five years unless the government changes its policies around EVs and accelerates plans to in

Magazine05 Jul, 2025
Autofile magazine 2025 / 6
June ’25

The government is being urged to overhaul the clean car standard because it’s preventing importers hitting goals set to reduce emissions, says the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VI

Magazine04 Jun, 2025