Crackdown in Raro
scooter has long been a favourite past-time for Kiwi visitors.
But the law change means tourists will now have to fork out $90 for a special licence – three times the previous price.
Visitors have to pay for a theory, practical and a handling and skills test, as well as the cost of issuing the 30-day licence.
However, hire businesses said the spike in price was having a significant financial impact.
Brendan Tuareka of BT Rentals said the business used to generate around $5000 a month. But that figure plummeted to just $500 in the four weeks after the rules were introduced.
‘‘I say to the police, look, you are ruining the iconic transport for the tourists in the islands and that is the scooters,’’ Tuareka said.
Wellington resident Monica Ferguson, who got married in Rarotonga two weeks ago, said the process of getting a special licence ‘‘was off-putting’’.
Cook Islands Police insist the changes, including mandatory helmets, were necessary to align the regulations with New Zealand and Australian law.
The reforms come as Fairfax columnist Alison Mau calls on the Government here to address the issue of accidents involving visitor drivers.
Mau describes the experience of her broadcaster friend Karen Rutherford, who was out horse- riding six months ago when she was involved in a collision. A foreign national has been charged with careless driving causing injury.
‘‘Along with her job at Newshub, Karen is now an advocate for tougher rules for visiting drivers in New Zealand,’’ Mau says.
‘‘When she talks about it, she notes something others often leave out; as well as the 22 who lost their lives to fatal mistakes made by inexperienced visiting drivers on our roads last year, more than 700 were injured.’’
She says Parliament has rejected petitions brought by family members calling for law reforms.