“In Parliament today, I welcomed the Government’s announcement of new legislation to tackle the dangerous and anti-social behaviour of street racers and intimidating drivers,” said Mike Butterick, MP for Wairarapa. “They are not welcome at our place.”
“The Wairarapa has experienced some well-publicised boy racer activity in recent times, and Police have had to deal with some very volatile and dangerous situations. This Government has taken action to address this anti-social behaviour, and new legislation will be introduced in mid-2025 bringing tougher penalties and fines.”
“I have heard of the impact on the lives of people and also those with animals. In the Wairarapa Electorate we have spent thousands of ratepayer dollars cleaning up the damage and mess these people cause. It’s unnecessary and it’s going to stop.”
“Police will be better able to manage drivers that continue to put our communities and emergency responders at risk. The new legislation will give them greater powers to manage unauthorised street racing, burnouts, intimidating convoys, unlawful gatherings, or those who cause excessive noise by having siren battles,” Butterick, says
"I have talked to Police staff and members of the public across the Wairarapa Electorate and I know that, for the majority, the enactment of this legislation will be a huge relief".
Media contact: Brigitte Marulli de Barletta, 021 845 614
Note to editors:
The new offences and penalties will include:
- Establishing a presumptive sentence of vehicle destruction or forfeiture for those that flee Police, street racers, intimidating convoys and owners who fail to identify offending drivers
- Giving Police more powers to manage illegal vehicle gatherings by closing roads or public areas and issuing infringements
- Increasing the infringement fee for making excessive noise from or within a vehicle from $50 to $300
For more: www.beehive.govt.nz/release/tougher-penalties-boy-racers-and-intimidating-driverspress