RUC RORT AWARENESS CAMPAIGN (RRAC)

Welcome to the RUC Rort Awareness Campaign (RRAC) website. Our mission is to reform the Road User Charge (RUC) system to promote transparency and fairness.

About the Campaign

The RRAC focuses on the ecosystem surrounding Road User Charges (RUC), which are funded by transaction, service, and subscription fees totaling at least $300 million annually. This figure does not include the additional costs in time and resources for diesel and electric vehicle owners to comply with legislation. Most of this expenditure is inefficient, as more effective methods exist for collecting Road User Charges. This campaign addresses fees beyond the RUC itself, essentially a tax on top of a tax.

The high (Hidden) cost of Compliance

Lets say you want to buy an $80 RUC license for three light vehicles. What you might not expect is to be blindsided by transaction fees that swell to an eye-watering $67.68.

Buried within these costs, a staggering $41.30 are hidden fees funnelled to the NZTA.

Opt for the convenience of an online transaction?

The hidden fee dips slightly to $37.50, but now you’re stuck waiting for the disc to arrive in the mail. Essentially, this setup slams you with a nearly 30% transaction charge layered on top of your tax.

And if you think switching to an E-RUC provider might save you some cash, think again. While it might shave off a few dollars from the hidden fees, it locks you into paying an additional $40 to $80 every month per vehicle.

This isn’t just poor value—it’s a systematic fleecing of every vehicle owner who complies. Every transaction enriches a hidden layer of bureaucracy, siphoning millions from the pockets of ordinary taxpayers.

Implementing these changes aims to remove unnecessary requirements and improve system efficiency. The primary challenge lies in securing political will and overcoming government inertia and public disinterest.

01

Transparency of Fees

Implement clear disclosure of all fees associated with RUC transactions.

02

Reasonable Fees

Advocate for fair and reasonable transaction fees.

03

One Transaction Fee per Transaction

Simplify the fee structure to eliminate multiple charges per transaction.

04

Elimination of paper license disk

Transition to digital records to reduce administrative burdens and costs.

05

Remove Requirement for Distance Recorders on Vehicles with Digital Odometers

Replace unreliable distance recorders with digital odometer readings.

06

Allow Programmable Hub-Odometers, Programmed by the Installer

Introduce programmable Hub-Odometers for accurate distance recording on trailers

07

Move Enforcement to WOF and COF Inspections

Integrate RUC compliance checks with Warrant of Fitness (WOF) and Certificate of Fitness (COF) inspections.

08

Allow for Automated Repeat Buying:

Enable automated purchasing of RUC units for convenience and efficiency.

09

Elimination of RUC License Concept

There should be no need for a licence. RUC units are purchased online and is linked to the vehicle’s registration on the NZTA Database of which law enforcement has access to.

First Stage

The initial stage of our campaign focuses on driving traffic to this page and forming a pressure group. We will invest in radio, social media, and email campaigns to raise awareness and mobilise support.

Funding and Partnerships

Cartrack is funding the first stage of the campaign. We are seeking partners to expand our efforts and determine our next steps based on interest and input from future partners. Cartrack understands the complexities of the RUC ecosystem and advocates for necessary reforms despite potential short-term impacts on their business.

Show Your Support

Complete the form to endorse and help fund our campaign and demonstrate widespread demand for change.

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Named Partners of the Initiative

Participating businesses will be recognised as named partners, enhancing our collective impact.