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This is not a drill! SIVANZ goes to bat for all car enthusiasts

26 February, 2019

 

 

Simply because it’s too important not to be talking about, here’s a reminder from Andrew at Special Interest Vehicle Association of New Zealand (SIVANZ) about the impending fate of all combustion-engined vehicles — let the message spread throughout the internet and get behind the cause of ensuring what we all love stays around for years to come

In some way, shape or form, Special Interest Vehicle owners are going to be affected by a growing emphasis on climate change and the reduction of emissions. The New Zealand Productivity Commission has recently completed a hefty 503 page draft report to government on the Low Emissions economy that, while a positive step towards a cleaner and more sustainable future, could very much affect the way we enjoy cars in the very near future.

The Transport section (Chapter 11 — Transport) is a scary proposition that looks like a standard economic catch-all theory which doesn’t take into account special interest vehicles (the fossil-fuelled kind). The concern is how our SIV fleet may be compared against the rest of the ageing fossil-fuelled fleet and then compared against the emissions of the EV technology — could we be phased out in the name of environmental friendliness or simply legislated off the road as collateral damage in achieving a political end (2030 Paris Accord goal). Andrew Ferrier-Kerr from the Special Interest Vehicle Association of New Zealand (SIVANZ) tells us that, of the 268 submissions made to the Productivity Commission’s draft report, only two represented the special interest vehicle fraternity.

The SIVANZ submission raises critical questions around the consideration of our existing fossil-fuelled vehicles that have yet to be answered. See sivanz.co.nz for the submission and other information. The Productivity Commission report is final and with politicians for analysis and for them to determine what solutions will provide best fit for the future. The issue for owners is that the SIV fleet is not mentioned specifically which should raise concerns in the minds of every SIV owner.

SIV owners need to have a voice and whatever action is required to be heard, it has to be taken now to ensure special interest vehicles are considered now rather than when it’s written into law and too late.

For more detail on the subject, visit the SIVANZ website here.

Project Adder – an MGB with bite

21 November, 2025

Bill and Rae Denize have been active MG Car Club members in Wellington for nearly 32 years. They have held a variety of positions on the club committee, and now that they are both retired, they can be even more involved in the club’s activities. Bill is currently the president of the MG Car Club, Wellington Centre.
The list of cars they’ve owned over the years is testament to their passion for the brand. It includes a 1972 Midget — the round rear-wheel arch model with 1275cc motor; a three-door 2004 MG ZR; a 2005 MG ZR (five-door); and Rae’s 2005 MG TF, which they still own. Bill also raced a 1967 Morris Mini Cooper S at Manfeild for many years. That car featured in an article in the January 2013 issue of this magazine.
In April 2013, Bill sold the Cooper S and decided to buy a low mileage, freshly imported MG RV8 from Japan. He liked the idea as there were only 1983 built in the early 1990s, which, hopefully, would translate into these cars holding their value. More importantly, their bodies were galvanised, which meant fewer rust problems, although Bill and Rae didn’t escape encounters with oxidation unscathed.