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]
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]
External links
References
- About VTNZ VTNZ, retrieved 11 March 2016^
- Vehicle Testing NZ cleared to buy On Road NZ New Zealand Herald, 19 November 2004^
- Christopher Adams. Vehicle testing chief enjoys hands-on approach to his job New Zealand Herald, 17 January 2011^
- Jarrod Booker. VTNZ forays into roadside assistance market New Zealand Herald, 26 October 2010^
- Mike O'Donnell. Brakes are off for just-sold VTNZ stuff.co.nz, 7 September 2013^
- IBM Best Workplaces^
- Car stolen from VTNZ after keys left inside during WOF - but it's not the first time NZ Herald, retrieved 2021-06-02^