Wanaka locals will join protestors from more than 50 towns around the country this Friday (July 16) to demonstrate their opposition to new regulations including the upcoming ‘ute tax’.

Protestors will take part in Groundswell NZ’s ‘Howl of a Protest’ by driving their vehicles together around their respective towns and holding a brief ‘bark up’ with their farm dogs.

Wanaka Groundswell NZ representative Richard Burdon, a Lake Hāwea farmer, says utes are essential for farm work and many trades and the new legislation is “totally impractical”.

“Farmers aren’t against electric vehicles,” Richard said, “but right now they are not available for the type of work we need to do.

“Why would you put a tax on something when there is no alternative solution?”

The ‘ute tax’, which will include penalties of up to $5,175 for ute buyers from January next year, will help subsidise rebates of up to $8,625 for people who purchase electric vehicles. 

It’s part of the government’s Clean Car Package, which transport minister Michael Wood said would help increase the uptake of electric vehicles in New Zealand - our monthly electric vehicle uptake is around half the global average - and assist towards the country’s 2050 carbon neutral target.

Richard said the ‘ute tax’ is just one of more than 15 new regulations which have been imposed on the rural sector in the last 18 months which are taking a toll on both finances and farmers’ mental health.

“For many in the farming community we’re sick of being regulated and pointed out as the bad people,” he said. “We’re actually part of catchment groups and environmental programmes; we’re actually working hard and accept that change is part of farming into the future.” 

“But we like to be consulted and we don’t like being regulated with a whole lot of regulations that don’t provide clear direction we can follow.”

Groundswell NZ is a grassroots organisation which has formed in opposition of the ute tax as well as other legislation.

Wanaka Groundswell NZ’s ‘Howl of a Protest’ will take place on Friday (July 16) with participants meeting at either the Albert Town campground or the Upper Clutha rugby clubrooms at 11.30am before driving around Helwick, Brownston and Ardmore streets and taking part in the ‘bark up’.

Following the drive, participants are encouraged to park up at the lakefront and head into Wanaka to support a local business and discuss the tax with other locals, Richard said.

PHOTO: Toyota