In brief: New vehicle registration rules

Toyota's unique-looking FJ. Photo / Stuart Munroe

Your unregistered vehicle could cost you demerit points from May 1 - $200 fines will be levied by parking wardens, but police can issue a reduced $150 fine plus 20 demerit points if the vehicle is unregistered or the licence is on hold. If caught again, you must surrender your plates.

Moped standards lifted

The Government will require mopeds to comply with the same safety requirements as other motorcycles from July 1, though they still won't need a warrant of fitness.

BMW bikes bring on power

BMW's six-cylinder K1600 GT and GTL motorcycles arrive this month, from $44,628. The hyper-tourer's 1.6-litre in-line engine delivers a car-beating 118kW of power and 175Nm of torque for a zero to 100 time of 3.2 seconds.

Focus on rider safety

A Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council has been set up to implement rider safety initiatives. Funded by a $30 registration levy, the council is chaired by economist and biker Gareth Morgan and follows a similar Australian model that has reduced injuries and fatalities.

Celebration worth a drive

Toyota's Top to Bottom adventure will take an FJ Landcruiser from Puhoi to Bluff from May 15 to celebrate the Landcruiser's 60th anniversary, after the first attempt was cancelled. Driver Marc Ellis will traverse NZ off-road and end up at Bluff on May 31. He anticipates snow and says: "The trip just got a whole lot tougher." Keep track of the progress by clicking the link above.