A crushed car gathers no boy racers - mayor hopeful on new car crush law
Friday, 3 July 2026
Waikato leaders are eagerly waiting to see if new government laws that will crush boy racers’ rides will stem a tide of rowdy, wheel-spinning convoys and illegal racing tearing up ratepayers’ roads.
A raft of new offences and penalties were passed into law this week, with the most dramatic change being a presumption of car forfeiture for racers.
Local and central government leaders alike are eager to see the results, with Waikato District Council mayor Aksel Bech saying it’s been a prominent issue in the district, especially on rural roads.
'That's why overall law changes are so important because that has more permanent solutions. A car that's crushed is not gonna go for a burnout again,“ he said.
“This is another positive move forward of basically trying to deal with a scourge of anti-social behaviour which is affecting a lot of people who are just trying to live their daily lives or enjoy their peace and quiet.”
Vehicular destruction or forfeiture will become the presumptive sentence for street racers along with those who flee police and are involved in intimidating convoys. Police will also be given more powers to close roads and public areas to manage antisocial gatherings.
It comes after instances of illegal street racing having pushed everyday New Zealanders to the brink. In late May, a Napier resident ‘just let rip’ at racers going past his house with a paintball gun, firing off 500 shots. It follows a 2021 case in the Waikato where a man shot at a gathering of hundreds of cars using a rifle.
Hotspots in the Waikato have left residents sleepless and afraid in 2026, but Bech didn’t describe the legislation as a silver bullet however, referencing to how Judith ‘Crusher’ Collins’ crusade against boy racers “didn’t really prove effective”.
He said a 'societal re-look of what's acceptable' is needed.
'[I] just encourage everyone when they see something, say something. Rather than just putting up with it, if there's 100 cars around the corner put the call through and let the police know.'
The crushing laws are well overdue according to Police Minister Mark Mitchell, who lamented the consequences haven’t matched the crime for “far too long”.
When asked if the bill has been overdue given the acts of residents, Mitchell said he understands people’s frustration who feel police haven’t acted fast enough, adding communities have been “raising these concerns for years”.
He added the law will “hit offenders where it counts - their cars” and hopes it will remove the need for individuals to take matters into their own hands.
“Describing any piece of legislation as a silver bullet would be a ridiculous notion. The purpose of the legislation is to deter unruly boy racer behaviour on our roads, and to ensure those who choose to ignore the law are dealt tougher consequences.”
“Excessive noise, siren battles, illegal street racing and fleeing police is not harmless fun - it is intimidating, disruptive, and places people at risk.”
The bill has also earned praise from Taupō MP Louise Upston, calling the racers “incredibly dangerous and disruptive”.
The Waipā area has had its fair share of anti-social drivers, forcing the local council to ban light vehicles on specific roads between 9pm and 4am in 2024.
Upston said the wider Waikato and communities nation-wide “have had a gutsful”, adding the bill is evidence of the Government listening to their needs.
'By basically passing a law that says 'this is not acceptable behaviour', and the consequences of doing it are significant … [it] sends a really clear signal,“ Upston said.
She agreed with Bech how legislation is a part of the puzzle, reinforcing how the laws ultimately rely on people to be brave enough to report anti-social behaviour and to show zero tolerance.
Police were approached by the Waikato Times but declined to comment.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.