Antisocial road use law revives car crushing
Parliament passed legislation in early July 2026 creating new offences and penalties for illegal street racing, burnouts, fleeing police, intimidating convoys, excessive vehicle noise and disorderly dirt-bike gatherings. The law revives vehicle forfeiture and destruction — dubbed 'car crushing' — and, unlike the 2009 regime that required a third offence, allows it as a presumptive penalty on a first offence for the most serious conduct. Most changes take effect within six months.
Supporters and critics
Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport Minister Chris Bishop championed the bill, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon declaring that "car crushing is back". Critics, including Law Association president Tony Herring, questioned whether crushing vehicles is an effective deterrent, and Green MP Julie Anne Genter argued police lack the resources for existing problems. The Green Party, Te Pāti Māori and some independent MPs voted against the bill.
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Key milestones
Antisocial road use bill passes third reading
The Antisocial Road Use Amendment Bill passed its third reading in early July 2026, reviving vehicle destruction as a penalty and allowing it on a first offence for street racing, burnouts or fleeing police. Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport Minister Chris Bishop backed the law; the Green Party, Te Pāti Māori and some independents opposed it, and legal commentators questioned whether car crushing deters offending. Most provisions take effect within six months.