MTA Lays Out Roadmap for Growth to Government

The publication contains 20 calls which MTA says will drive economic growth, create jobs, strengthen the automotive sector, and keep New Zealanders safe.

MTA Chief Executive Lee Marshall says the manifesto is broad in scope and covers all sectors of the industry.

“Our asks touch on areas from commerce, to crime, transport, immigration, education and more,” he says.

“We knew that we needed calls on the big issues that are capable of standing the test of time – calls that are capable of broad support, or at the very least, acceptance, from multiple political viewpoints.”

The Road to Prosperity was launched at Parliament on Wednesday, July 1. Education and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford hosted the event and was the keynote speaker, with MPs from across the House also addressing attendees.

MTA says economic growth must be the key priority for whoever forms the next Government, and the automotive industry, which contributes $6.8b to GDP and employs more than 65,000 people, is instrumental to that growth.

A key focus of the manifesto is calls around the safety of vehicles, and an innovative approach to addressing the country’s notoriously old fleet – a $2000 allowance for owners who replace 20-year-old vehicles with one ten years old or newer.

MTA is also calling on Government to press pause on the second tranche of two-yearly Warrant of Fitness intervals (for vehicles aged eight to 14 years) until evidence shows it’s safe to do so.

“We are the blood in the arteries of the country – without a safe fleet of vehicles that performs as it’s supposed to, not much would get anywhere,” Mr Marshall says.

“We are a key enabler of the economy, and people’s lifestyles.”

MTA is also calling for:

• Addressing fuel theft by including as a focus in the Minister of Police’s Letter of Expectations to the Commissioner
• A new funding model for better supporting employers taking on apprentices
• A pathway forward with industry for the ‘Right to Repair’

“We’re not pretending we own the truth on these subjects – but we are sure our ideas are sound and we are here, ready and willing to work with whatever government forms in November to ensure that New Zealand Inc has the thriving automotive industry it deserves,” Mr Marshall says.