MP adds voice to ‘give Johnny a go’

A battle to help a young entrepreneur banned from driving his ride-on lawnmower to jobs has gone to Parliament.

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean has offered support to 14-year-old Johnny O’Neill after reading of his plight on Stuff.

Johnny, who started his own garden maintenance business in 2017, was warned by police not to ride his 780cc mower, which travelled about 5kmh, to jobs in Cromwell in Central Otago after a member of the public complained. The ban forced him to hire a driver, in addition to the two staff he already employs to help service his 293 clients.

Dean said she was impressed with his maturity and business acumen, and had written to Transport Minister Phil Twyford to help get Johnny back on his mower. ‘‘This country needs talented young people like this who are prepared to get off the couch and give things a go, and they don’t need to be held back by regulation and red tape.’’

There was a provision in the Land Transport Act for lowpowered vehicles, such as mobility scooters, to be used without registration or a driver’s licence but their maximum power output must not exceed 300W, she said.

‘‘The issue here seems to be the size of Johnny’s mower engine, despite him not driving his mower faster than 5-10kmh.’’

Dean has requested a change to the definition to include mowers with a speed of less than 10kmh. She copied the letter to Police Minister Stuart Nash, to investigate whether Johnny could be granted a special licence.

‘‘Obviously safety is a priority but I also think there should be room to accommodate a young man with ideas and initiative.

‘‘Let’s see if we can give Johnny a go.’’

Johnny said he had been ‘‘overwhelmed’’ with support from around the country.

A spokeswoman for Nash said he had received the letter and would reply directly to Dean.

However, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) was the only organisation that issued licences.

A spokesman for Twyford also said it was up to NZTA.

An NZTA spokesman said any amendment to the road user rules would need to be initiated by the Ministry of Transport.

The ministry could issue a gazette notice declaring certain types of vehicles not to be motor vehicles, thus exempting them from the rules.

Johnny O’Neill, 14, owns and manages his own garden maintenance company but has been banned from driving his rideon mower on the streets of Cromwell.