Vehicle Testing New Zealand Limited (VTNZ) is a company based in Wellington, New Zealand, that carries out government-mandated Warrant of Fitness and other inspections of motor vehicles. It is the largest vehicle inspection company in New Zealand.[1]
| Founded | 1994 |
|---|---|
Key people | Greg O'Connor, Country Manager |
| Owner | DEKRA |
| Website | www |
VTNZ was founded in 1994 as Vehicle Testing New Zealand and was a New Zealand state-owned enterprise. In 1999, it was privatised and sold to the Motor Transport Association (MTA) for NZ$19.2 million. In 2004, the company rebranded itself as VTNZ and purchased its principal competitor On Road New Zealand.[2]
In 2011, VTNZ had over 85 vehicle testing stations across New Zealand and employed nearly 1000 people. Some stations also act as government agents in processing driver licence and vehicle registration applications.[3] In 2010, VTNZ also entered New Zealand's roadside assistance market.[4]
In 2013, MTA announced that German based company DEKRA would purchase 60 percent of VTNZ for NZ$36 million. Following the purchase, VTNZ began offering a wider range of services, including vehicle servicing.[5]
In 2014, VTNZ took over practical driver testing in New Zealand.[1] VTNZ has been a three time winner of the IBM Kenexa Best Workplaces Award for Enterprise category (2014-2016).[6]
In 2021, it was reported that 8 cars had been stolen over the last 25 years from testing stations. The most recent case was of a Mazda worth NZ$15,000 which was stolen while the inspector returned to the office to write the WOF sticker while leaving the keys in the car.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b "About VTNZ". VTNZ. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "Vehicle Testing NZ cleared to buy On Road NZ". New Zealand Herald. 19 November 2004.
- ^ Adams, Christopher (17 January 2011). "Vehicle testing chief enjoys hands-on approach to his job". New Zealand Herald.
- ^ Booker, Jarrod (26 October 2010). "VTNZ forays into roadside assistance market". New Zealand Herald.
- ^ O'Donnell, Mike (7 September 2013). "Brakes are off for just-sold VTNZ". stuff.co.nz.
- ^ "IBM Best Workplaces".
- ^ "Car stolen from VTNZ after keys left inside during WOF - but it's not the first time". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2 June 2021.