Latest news with #WOF
NZ Autocar
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
members-only luxury car storage opens in Auckland
Auckland has just welcomed an unprecedented offering for the country's automotive elite: Matchbox, New Zealand's first members-only luxury car storage facility. The brainchild of property developer Mark Francis and business partner Zlatko Filipchich, Matchbox is located conveniently between Auckland Airport and the city's CBD. The facility has been purpose-built to meet the needs of classic, performance and collector car owners. The secure, climate-controlled garage uses car stacking systems to maximise space, with each unit accommodating up to four vehicles. But the service goes beyond storage as Matchbox offers full concierge support including WOF checks, insurance and registration management and pick-up/delivery services across Auckland. 'Matchbox is about more than just storage, it's about creating a home for cars and a community for those who love them,' says Francis. 'We saw a real need for a facility where vehicles could be cared for as works of art.' Filipchich adds, 'Whether it's a classic Mini or a modern supercar, every vehicle gets the same meticulous attention. We take care of everything, so members can simply enjoy their cars when they want to.' The facility is designed with lifestyle in mind, featuring a members' lounge, private lockers, and an automotive library. Its location makes it attractive to not only Auckland residents but also out of town property owners and international clients, who can fly in, pick up their vehicle and head directly to their destination. Matchbox aims to cultivate a vibrant community, with regular events and social opportunities for members. 'Matchbox is a club as much as a facility,' Francis explains. 'We're building a community around a shared passion.' Find out more at
NZ Autocar
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Land transport rules up for reform
There are plans afoot to overhaul New Zealand's land transport rules. Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the Government will be pushing ahead with reforms in a bid to increase productivity, reduce costs and improve efficiency across the sector. These should be more effective than a road cone hot line too. The review is part of the newly announced Land Transport Rules Reform Programme, which Bishop says is aimed at stripping out outdated regulations and easing compliance costs for road users and businesses. 'Land transport rules set out how different sectors of the transport industry must operate. They impact all road users – from the suburban mum or dad who has to get a Warrant of Fitness every year no matter how new or well-maintained their car, to the truckies who've been loaded up with compliance costs due to rules long since made redundant through advances in technology,' Bishop says. Examples highlighted by Bishop include the current Road User Rule that doesn't permit e-scooters in cycle lanes or allow young children to cycle on footpaths, and a reliance on hard copy letters – with 14 million mailed last year at a cost of $16.8 million. Bishop points to earlier consultation this year on reducing Warrant and Certificate of Fitness renewal requirements for motorhomes and vintage vehicles as a sign of the Government's approach to 'common-sense' reform. 'Now we're taking that same common-sense approach to other transport rules through a comprehensive programme of work to reform and update them, with most decisions expected to be made over the next 18 months,' he says. A key area under review is the introduction of additional safety requirements for imported vehicles, which could have significant implications for the used import sector. Seven streams of reform The Land Transport Rules Reform Programme includes seven key areas: Reducing WOF and COF inspection frequency for vintage vehicles and motorhomes. Introducing new safety requirements for vehicle imports. Reviewing WOF/COF requirements for light vehicles. Simplifying heavy vehicle licensing, weight thresholds and freight permits. Enabling digital driver licences, removing physical labels and stickers, and allowing online theory testing. Improving lane use, including allowing e-scooters in cycle lanes, children cycling on footpaths, and requiring vehicles to give way to buses. Overhauling the vehicle regulatory system to streamline import requirements and align with overseas standards. 'The work delivers on commitments in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport and the Road Safety Objectives document to review the vehicle regulatory system to improve safety, reduce regulatory burden, and ensure our domestic rules are fit for purpose, investigate our warrant of fitness system to more effectively and efficiently target risk, and investigate new safety requirements for vehicles entering the fleet,' says Bishop. Some elements of the reform will take longer than 18 months, including the complete overhaul of the vehicle regulatory system and a review of the Vehicle Dimension and Mass rule. Consultation timeline Public consultation will begin in October 2025 on: Additional safety requirements for imports Changes to WOF and COF requirements for light vehicles Freight permitting changes Further consultation is expected in early 2026 on: Licensing weight thresholds Digital driver licences and e-documents Lane use and traffic control device changes A review of the broader vehicle regulatory system will begin consultation in mid-2026.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Taking The Handbrake Off Productivity Through Transport Rule Reform
Minister of Transport The Government is progressing a bold work programme to increase productivity and efficiency through comprehensively reforming New Zealand's land transport rules, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. 'Land transport rules set out how different sectors of the transport industry must operate. They impact all road users - from the suburban mum or dad who has to get a Warrant of Fitness every year no matter how new or well-maintained their car, to the truckies who've been loaded up with compliance costs due to rules long since made redundant through advances in technology,' says Mr Bishop. 'Right now the rules system is overly cumbersome to update and creates a substantial administrative burden for New Zealand businesses trying their best to operate safely, legally and efficiently. 'The rules are full of nonsensical or outdated requirements. For example, the Road User Rule doesn't currently permit e-scooters to use cycle lanes or young children to ride their bikes on the footpath. Several rules require hard copy letters to be posted instead of sending emails, which last year alone resulted in 14 million hard copy letters, reminders, and labels being posted at a cost to the taxpayer of $16.8 million. While some of these letters will still need to be printed and posted, the rules reform programme will make it possible for many of these services to be modernised. 'Earlier this year, I started work to update one of the land transport rules by consulting on proposals to reduce how often private motorhomes and vintage cars and motorcycles need to renew their Warrant of Fitness (WOF) or Certificate of Fitness (COF). 'Now we're taking that same common-sense approach to other transport rules through a comprehensive programme of work to reform and update them, with most decisions expected to be made over the next 18 months.' The Land Transport Rules Reform Programme includes seven streams of work: Reducing the frequency of vintage vehicle and motorhome WOF and COF inspections, as previously announced. Considering additional safety requirements for vehicle imports including a possible phased introduction. Reviewing WOF/COF frequency and inspection requirements for light vehicles. Simplifying heavy vehicle driver licencing, weight thresholds, and freight permitting to improve efficiency and productivity for the freight sector. Enabling digital driver licences and, digital alternatives to WOF/COF/rego stickers, allowing NZTA to electronically collect, store and send regulatory notices, enabling online theory tests, and simplifying identification requirements for NZTA customers. Improving lane use and use of traffic control devices, and minor system improvements, which will include enabling e-scooters in cycle lanes and children to ride bikes on footpaths, minimum overtaking gaps when passing cyclists, horses etc, and requiring vehicles to give way to buses exiting bus stops. Overhauling the vehicle regulatory system to make it more efficient, effective and adaptable, including simplifying and refocusing import requirements and streamlining recognition of overseas standards. 'The work delivers on commitments in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport and the Road Safety Objectives document to review the vehicle regulatory system to improve safety, reduce regulatory burden, and ensure our domestic rules are fit for purpose, investigate our warrant of fitness system to more effectively and efficiently target risk, and investigate new safety requirements for vehicles entering the fleet', says Mr Bishop. 'The programme includes some longer-term pieces of work that will not be complete within the 18 months, such as overhauling the vehicle regulatory system to reduce complexity and better align with other jurisdictions' requirements. Another longer-term piece of work will be reviewing the Vehicle Dimension and Mass rule because requirements have not kept up with changes in the international automotive industry. 'Our Government wants to remove pointless inefficiencies – things that we do simply because we've always done it that way. It's not good enough to force New Zealand businesses to comply with outdated rules simply because it's too hard to update them. Removing or updating rules that are no longer relevant and that have little real benefit will mean we can focus on driving our economy forward.' Notes: A fact sheet laying out the Land Transport Rules Reform Programme is here. Public Consultation: Public consultation will begin in October 2025 on: Additional safety requirements for imports Changes to WOF and COF inspection requirements and frequency for light vehicles, and Changes to freight permitting requirements. This is expected to be followed by consultation in early 2026 on: Possible changes to licence weight thresholds Enabling a digital driver licence, digital documents, and e-servicing Improving lane use and use of traffic control devices. Initial consultation on overhauling the vehicle regulatory system is planned for mid-2026.
Techday NZ
11-06-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Toast Electric expands to help families facing winter hardship
Toast Electric has announced its expansion into Horowhenua and Wairarapa as many New Zealand families enter winter unable to afford adequate heating for their homes. The community enterprise, which is currently serving 1,100 homes and supporting over 250 families through its Energy Wellbeing programme, was launched by Sustainability Trust in 2022. It uses a model where every four paying households or small businesses switching to Toast supports one household experiencing energy hardship. Phil Squire, Head of Toast and a national expert in healthy homes assessments, stated that current compliance measures are insufficient to ensure the wellbeing of families. Squire commented, "Too many New Zealanders are being failed by a system that confuses compliance with care. This winter, we're seeing families who are in homes that are technically 'compliant' with the rental Healthy Homes Standards but still living in freezing conditions, making impossible trade-offs between heating and food. Compliance doesn't guarantee wellbeing and it's time we stopped pretending it does." The Energy Wellbeing programme offers a mix of assistance, including affordable electricity pricing with a 30% discount during winter, reconnection services for families cut off from power, and in-home energy advice from trained assessors. Squire described the model: "It's not just a bill reduction - it's a full-circle model that focuses on what truly makes a home healthy and liveable." Households join Toast through a network of financial mentors and social service agencies that offer financial advice and broader support prior to referral. Data from Consumer NZ and the University of Otago indicates more than 360,000 households in New Zealand experience energy hardship. In the past year, over 140,000 families have taken out loans to pay energy bills, with more than 40,000 homes at risk of disconnection annually. Squire said, "These are not edge cases - they are the reality for hundreds of thousands of families, many of them renting in poor-quality housing stock that remains difficult or outright unaffordable to heat." Issues with compliance The Healthy Homes Standards were designed to improve rental housing quality, yet Squire highlighted limitations in enforcement and actual measurement of outcomes. He noted, "The current system allows landlords to self-certify compliance and take advantage of multiple exemptions, meaning many rental homes may appear up to standard on paper but remain cold, damp and unhealthy in practice." Toast is calling for a national Home Energy Warrant of Fitness (WOF), similar to systems in place in Europe and the UK. The Home Energy WOF would require independent, licensed assessors to verify whether homes are safe, warm, and energy-efficient. Squire posed the question: "We wouldn't let someone certify their own car as why are we doing that with the places people sleep, raise their children and try to stay healthy?" Programme impact The Toast model is underpinned by reinvested revenue and aims to offer not only electricity savings but also improved living conditions. The organisation stresses that support should go beyond asking families to use less power, ensuring homes become healthier and more affordable to run. Story examples from those assisted by Toast illustrate the ongoing need. One Wellington man who had been without electricity for two years was finally reconnected via the Energy Wellbeing programme, and described being able to take a hot shower without using a torch. Others reflected on the relief of being able to turn on heating without fear of an unaffordable bill. Research from the University of Otago has identified broader effects of reducing energy bill-related stress. Dr Kimberley O'Sullivan, who is leading research into Toast Electric's Energy Wellbeing programme, stated, "We've heard from Toast Electric's referral partners, Energy Wellbeing Customers and Regular Customers who all wellbeing and describe how relieving electricity bill stress enables them to feel more comfortable and relaxed at home and better connect with their family, friends and community. Regular customers also feel good about being able to help others in need while paying their electricity bills they would already be paying. Toast Electric's not-for-profit model is working within the market framework to deliver essential electricity and improve wellbeing." Looking ahead Toast's current plans include expanding into Horowhenua and Wairarapa, and doubling its customer base over the next year, in addition to growing its network of referral agencies. The organisation maintains its focus on supporting families and challenging existing systems of compliance and measurement within the energy and housing sectors. "Energy should be a right, not a luxury," says Squire. "And until we make that true for every family in Aotearoa, we're not done."
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Obesity silently crushing Pakistan's economy, health experts say
ISLAMABAD: Obesity is silently crushing Pakistan's economy, costing the country an estimated $3.41 billion annually (over Rs950 billion) and threatening to double to $7.6 billion (Rs2.13 trillion) by 2030 if urgent measures are not taken, health experts warned on Saturday. Citing data from the World Obesity Federation (WOF) at an awareness session held at the National Press Club (NPC) Islamabad, senior endocrinologists and public health officials described obesity as both a national health emergency and a major economic liability. The experts said the financial toll stems from increased public and private healthcare expenditures, rising absenteeism, reduced workplace productivity, and premature deaths caused by obesity-related complications. The escalating burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular ailments, fatty liver, and kidney disorders — all linked to excess body weight — is draining vital national resources while shrinking the country's productive labour force. An alarming picture emerged from a free screening camp conducted at NPC in collaboration with Getz Pharma, where around 150 journalists and their family members were tested. More than 70 percent were found to be overweight or obese, while 25 percent showed signs of diabetes and elevated blood pressure. Experts termed these findings a wake-up call for all sectors of society, especially policymakers. Renowned endocrinologist Prof Rauf Niazi said 70 to 80 percent of Pakistanis, including children, now fall in the overweight or obese category. He blamed the crisis on the unchecked consumption of carbohydrate-laden diets, processed snacks, sugary drinks, and junk food, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle. 'Obesity is not only making men impotent and women infertile due to PCOS, but is also the leading cause of early diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, and kidney damage through metabolic changes,' he warned. Prof Niazi further revealed that over 85 percent of the population may already be suffering from fatty liver disease — a dangerous, often unnoticed condition that disrupts cholesterol metabolism, triggers inflammation, and elevates cardiovascular risk. 'It's a time bomb. People remain unaware until it's too late,' he said, urging a return to simpler, healthier lifestyles. 'The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had a flat belly, ate less, walked regularly, swam, and exercised with Hazrat Ali. That's the example we need to follow,' he stressed. Dr Mumtaz Ali Khan, Chief of Communicable Disease Control at the National Institute of Health (NIH), said Pakistanis are aging at an accelerated rate due to obesity and poor lifestyle habits. 'Most individuals screened at NPC were biologically at least ten years older than their actual age. We're becoming an old, diseased nation far too early,' he said. As a paediatrician, he expressed grave concern over rising childhood obesity, pointing to screen addiction, processed food, and lack of physical activity. 'We mistakenly equate fat with healthy in children. That mindset is dangerous.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
