Emission standards ordered for imports

By SCOTT MacLEOD

All imported vehicles will have to meet the emission standards of their source nation under new anti-smog laws about to be introduced - and an age limit may also be imposed on used imports.

Transport Minister Mark Gosche yesterday confirmed that the "state of origin" emission law would come into effect by December 31. He was also waiting for a report on whether used imports should be kept to a certain age, such as the Motor Industry Association's suggested 7-year limit.

The announcement came amid an Auckland Regional Council campaign urging stronger emission and fuel quality laws. ARC figures show that 70 per cent of vehicles dobbed in during its 0800 Smokey campaign were used imports, and 60 per cent were diesel.

Mr Gosche said the state of origin law would help tackle smoggy areas such as some in his Maungakiekie electorate. The Ministry of Transport was due to report back within a month on the age-limit option.

"Clearly New Zealand generally has good air quality - but there are hotspots in some areas," Mr Gosche said. "If we don't get a more modern fleet then it's going to take time to get results."

Research has found that smog levels in parts of Auckland and Christchurch exceed national air quality guidelines for carbon monoxide gas. The ARC is concerned that some cars banned from sale in Japan because they fail emission tests are instead being shipped here, and that the high levels of sulphur and other chemicals in New Zealand petrol make it relatively dirty.

ARC air quality manager Kevin Mahon welcomed the state of origin law, but said it would have to be backed up by good enforcement.

He urged that imported cars be checked to ensure that their smog-killing catalytic converters were still working properly.

Mr Mahon said the number of diesel vehicles dobbed in during 0800 Smokey was very high considering they made up just 14 per cent of the region's road fleet.

Latest figures show that 23,737 motorists were dobbed in between the start date of August 14 and last Sunday.

The worst polluter was dobbed in 35 times during the first two weeks of the campaign, and the next 50-worst between 10 and 35 times each.

ARC environmental management committee chairwoman Lady Patricia Thorp said an "encouraging" number of offenders appeared to be heeding council letters and getting free emission tests.

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