A quarter of Waitaki’s total passenger vehicle fleet is unwarranted, latest data shows.
Data supplied from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency show, as of July 28, a total of 4651 private, passenger-class vehicles did not have a warrant of fitness. That is 24% of the 19,070 passenger vehicles (car or van) that are required have an up-to-date, "passed" warrant.
Nationally, just 16% of the vehicle fleet is unwarranted.
Of those lacking a warrant of fitness in Waitaki, 1009 vehicles are also lacking a current registration (annual licence).
There are 813 vehicles that have a warrant but no registration.
The situation was put into the spotlight after an Oamaru man questioned why vehicles regularly parked on a street in Oamaru with no valid warrant and/or licence were not being issued tickets or infringement notices.
He was told the issue dated back six years and a decision of the Waitaki District Council not to apply to central government for the necessary delegated power to issue stationary vehicle offence notices.
"Registration of vehicles is a central government licensing and taxation requirement; warrant of fitness is a vehicle safety issue which is outside the enforcement capability of council," WDC regulatory manager Andrew Bardsley said.
"Council has a bylaw that allows it to enforce ‘parking’ related issues, not vehicle safety or licensing non-compliance. Applying for this delegation would make us the enforcement, and revenue collection agency for central government, but would require resourcing from the council.
"Waitaki District Council is responsible for the safety of council roads, and enforcement of parking-related issues. New Zealand Police are responsible for the safety and licensing of vehicles using the roads."
Police say they attend parking issues "if available, depending on other deployment priorities".
The government will be reviewing warrant frequency and inspection requirements for light vehicles as part of the Land Transport Rules Reform Programme, which encompasses several workstreams that aim to reduce compliance and improve safety and fleet quality.
"One of these workstreams is reviewing warrant of fitness and certificate of fitness frequency and inspection requirements for light vehicles while ensuring the safety of those vehicles is of a high standard," Associate Transport Minister James Meager said.
"This work is ongoing. We’ll have more information to share in due course."
