Labour says it will give drivers a "right to repair" their vehicles and strengthen scrutiny of fuel prices in an election policy aimed at cutting motoring costs.
The party announced today it would require car manufacturers to give independent mechanics access to the manuals, software, tools and information needed to fix modern cars.
It said the change would give motorists more choice over where they had their cars repaired, and allow independent workshops to better compete with dealerships.
Labour's commerce and consumer affairs spokesperson Arena Williams said some independent workshops had to turn away jobs because they could not access the information required to carry out repairs.
"A right to repair means the mechanic down the road gets a fair shot at your business," Williams said.
Follow all the latest from the election campaign at our live updates here
Labour said it would also require the Commerce Commission to report weekly on fuel prices and whether reductions in costs were being passed on to motorists.
The proposed law would cover wholesale and retail fuel, allowing unfair pricing to be investigated and overcharges recovered.
The party pledged to give independent petrol stations greater access to fuel supplies and require NZTA to consider making surplus land available for unmanned petrol stations and EV chargers.
"We'll crack down on price gouging, freeze fuel tax for three years and make it easier for independent mechanics and petrol stations to compete," leader Chris Hipkins said.
Labour previously announced it would freeze fuel excise and road-user charges for three years.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Willis questions Labour’s commitments, and two people are hospitalised after a West Auckland incident. (Source: Breakfast)
SHARE ME