Christina Humphreys with husband Raymon will be taking the ute to a Howl of a Protest on Friday as part of opposition to a proposed diesel tax. Photo / Chris Steel
Christina Humphreys with husband Raymon will be taking the ute to a Howl of a Protest on Friday as part of opposition to a proposed diesel tax. Photo / Chris Steel
Hundreds of frustrated people are expected to gather with their utes and tractors in Katikati to protest over government plans they believe have "penalised" the rural sector.
The Howl of a Protest is being held at more than 40 towns throughout New Zealand on Friday, to oppose the Government's proposedtax on diesel utes, tractors and trucks.
The national rally has been organised through Groundswell NZ, which describes itself as a group focused on standing up for farmers, food producers, contractors, tradies and councils.
In Katikati, former Western Bay of Plenty councillor Christina Humphreys said rural people were sick of being penalised by the Government, and now was the time to show they were not going to take it anymore.
"People are saying enough's enough. This is it. We've had enough."
Humphreys is helping organise the Katikati event, which begins at noon on the north and south sides of the township. The protest will then parade through the town to Moore Park for speeches and a "Dog's Howl" at 12.35pm. Those without dogs are encouraged to sound their horns.
Humphreys, who runs an avocado orchard, said many people were concerned by the Government's decisions, particularly the proposed diesel tax.
Christina Humphreys prepares for a Howl of a Protest in Katikati on Friday. Photo / Chris Steel
Last month, the Government announced a scheme in which people buying electric vehicles could get as much as $8625 back from the Government through levies on high-emission vehicles from January 1.
The fees are expected to go up to $5175 for a new import or $2875 for a used import.
However, critics have been quick to note there are no suitable alternatives to replace high-emission vehicles such as utes and trucks used in the rural sector.
"For a lot of us, this is the tipping point," Humphreys said.
Asked whether she felt the rural sector had been overlooked by the Government, Humphreys replied "we are being penalised".
Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard said the tax was the "straw that broke the camel's back for many farming communities".
Groundswell member Laurie Paterson told NZME the group was concerned at the "ute tax", but also government policy on freshwater, significant land areas, indigenous biodiversity, seasonal overseas workers, climate change, and high-country legislation.
Labour list MP Angie Warren-Clark, based in the Bay of Plenty, says everyone needs to do their bit to reduce carbon emissions, not just farmers. Photo / NZME
Paterson claimed the aim of the "unworkable" ute tax was to force people from diesel to electric vehicles, despite there being no alternative to "essential" vehicles used by farmers, horticulturists, industry support people and tradesmen.
Bay of Plenty-based Labour list MP Angie Warren-Clark said it was understandable some of the rural sector felt aggrieved.
"They might be feeling targeted but actually, this is a target for everyone in the country. All of us need to make a shift where possible. It's really not about targeting a group of people."
Warren-Clark said the Government recognised there were alternative options for many who use heavy-load vehicles, but the work to reduce carbon emission had to start somewhere. The tax affected only new purchases - not existing fleets or second-hand buys - which for many businesses could be written off for tax purposes anyway, she said.
"It's about thinking about consumerism, whether you really need to buy that new vehicle."
Warren-Clark, who sits on the environment select committee, won't be attending the protest because she is on leave, "but we will be listening".
