Motor vehicle levy cuts to ‘hit the young, elderly’
Porirua motorists may be hit in the pocket this year, even though motor vehicle levies are to drop by an average of 41 per cent.
Mana MP Kris Faafoi said the new levies could be a problem for Porirua residents because their cars tended to be older than many others around the region.
Wellington has about 269,176 cars classified as light passenger vehicles and the average age of them is about 12.8 years.
From July 1, the levy paid when people register or renew their regos will drop, but the amount will be determined by a new risk rating applied to different types of vehicles.
Cars will fall into four levels of levy charges:
Level 1, 1975-95, 20 per cent of vehicles, $158.46 pa.
Level 2, 1996-2000, 18 per cent of vehicles, $123.46 pa.
Level 3, 2001-08, 26 per cent of vehicles, $103.46 pa.
Level 4, 2009-present, 35 per cent of vehicles, $68.38 pa.
Faafoi said that would mean the owner of a 2003 Suzuki Swift or a 1993 Toyota Corolla would be likely to pay more than the owner of a modern car.
He said it would affect young and elderly drivers and would do nothing to improve the safety of cars.
‘‘It’s bizarre. What’s the purpose? Is it going to make cars safer? I don’t think so,’’ Faafoi said. ‘‘It’s been the same system for years. Why change it? Some people can’t do anything about it. They might only be able to afford an older car.’’
ACC collects levies from motor vehicles, including when motorists put petrol in their cars and when they renew the registration.
Porirua resident and Grey Power member Kilian De Lacy said she did not approve of the new levies.
‘‘Those who have opted for smaller cars, mostly much more economical in petrol than fourwheel drives, for instance, are going to benefit hugely,’’ she said.
‘‘For younger people, it could mean a much higher output as many of them have really old cars souped-up for performance, and they guzzle gas.’’
ACC Minister Nikki Kaye said some people might be surprised by the risk rating of their vehicles.
The aim of the system was to give people greater awareness of safer vehicles.
‘‘It’s not just owners of new cars who will benefit from risk rating.
‘‘There are many car models more than 10 years old in the safest levy band. And all car owners pay reduced levies,’’ Kaye said.