Why MAGNZ was formed
Motorcyclists were being talked about instead of talked with. MAGNZ became the central place to get organised, analyse the numbers, and challenge unfair levies with evidence.
Saturday, March 28, 2026 - Nationwide Protest Ride
The Issue
A true risk-based system measures risk. That means distance travelled, time on the road, and riding environment — not engine size or how many bikes someone owns. The current approach uses crude proxies because they’re easy to collect, not because they’re accurate.
MAGNZ supports ACC, but only a system that’s open, testable, and fair. If pricing can’t be independently scrutinised and it isn’t risk-based — then it’s a tax.
“We’re not here to burn the house down. We’re here to force the people inside to stop pretending the numbers mean something they don’t.”
— Richard Tohu, MAGNZMotorcycles, risk & ACC — what the OIA Response data actually says
What the data provided by ACC shows
- Motorcycles are a small share of total travel (distance and time).
- Fatal risk per km and per hour is highest for motorcyclists.
- Motorcyclists account for ~16% of road deaths.
- Most road deaths are still vehicle occupants.
- Higher risk links to where/how riding happens (rural roads, infrastructure, traffic mix, system factors), not just rider behaviour.
- Actual risk is measured by exposure, not ownership
What the data does not show
- No engine size (cc), power output, or ownership counts.
- No evidence of arbitrary cc thresholds for “higher risk”.
- These factors do not appear in the mortality analysis.
Data quality warning
- Police crash reports vs hospital trauma data show gaps and mismatches.
- Underlying data is incomplete and inconsistent.
- That weakens fine-grained claims like cc-based levies.
Why this matters for ACC
ACC says levies are “risk-based”. This report shows risk is analysed by:
- Exposure (time and distance)
- Mode of transport
- Location and road environment
- System conditions
Not by:
- Engine size
- Number of bikes owned
- Registration categories
Yet motorcyclists are charged per vehicle, per cc, regardless of how much they ride — that’s not risk-based pricing.
Read our Open Letter to the Minister of ACCBottom line
- Higher risk per hour and kilometre, but a low-exposure group.
- Not the main source of road trauma by volume.
- No data supports cc-based pricing, ownership-based levies, or different treatment from other road users.
- ACC must show how exposure and system risk are used in levy setting — or admit they aren’t.
The evidence is clear. The justification still isn’t.
Take Action
No roadblocks. No burnouts. No antisocial behaviour. Just motorcyclists acting together inside the system.
Rego Freeze 3.1
Ride 28 March 2026 · Hold from 1 April 2026 · Cut cashflow by ~75%
What it is
A coordinated, lawful financial protest. Riders place vehicles on “rego hold” to reduce ACC and NZTA cashflow without breaking the law.
Step 1: Ride to VTNZ in six main centres on 28 March.
Step 2: Put eligible vehicles on hold from 1 April.
Step 3: Repeat the 3-month hold + 1-month rego cycle.
MAGNZ does not encourage illegal riding while rego is on hold.
Our demands
- Immediately halt further levy increases.
- Commission an independent, public review of the data used.
- Open a formal consultation to redesign a fair funding model.
Why it works
- When a vehicle is on hold, ACC and NZTA receive $0.
- Costs do not drop, so pressure is immediate.
- Participation scales quickly without disruption.
This is revenue they never receive, not a delay. That leverage changes the conversation.
FAQs
Is Rego Freeze legal?
Yes. Rego hold is a lawful option. MAGNZ does not encourage riding while on hold.
Do I lose paid rego?
No. Your paid rego runs out first. The hold activates afterward, so you don't lose value — you simply withhold future payments.
Is this anti-safety?
No. It's pro-fairness. Motorcyclists support ACC, but demand transparent, exposure-based pricing.
Why rego freeze?
Visibility without leverage gets ignored. Rego Freeze 3.1 shifts the pressure from protest to financial reality.
What does success looks like?
Short term: halt increases and commission independent analysis. Medium term: transparent data. Long term: a funding model based on exposure, not ownership.
Support the campaign
Fuel the work, grow the voice, and build long-term momentum.
Gear that funds the fight
MAGNZ apparel is about riders supporting riders. Every purchase helps fund advocacy, campaigns, and the operational work needed to keep pressure on decision-makers.
- T-shirts, hoodies, caps, beanies
- Stickers and patches for bikes and helmets
- Rider-first design and quality fit
Membership & benefits
Membership structure and benefits are being finalised. MAGNZ is incorporating in 2026 to give riders a durable and respected voice.
Get updates in the groupHelp shape what comes next
Want to help build the organisation?
Join the group, share your ideas, and volunteer.
About MAGNZ?
Who we are
The Motorcycle Advocacy Group New Zealand (MAGNZ) started in September 2024 when motorcyclists realised the proposed levy hikes weren't backed by solid, transparent data. We are a rider-led advocacy movement, not a club or business. Our members live across Aotearoa with one goal: protect motorcyclists from unjustified costs and demand fair regulation.
- Stop unfair registration and ACC levy increases
- Expose weak or misleading data used to justify hikes
- Demand proper consultation and public scrutiny
- Push for levies based on real-world exposure and risk
Why this matters
Motorcyclists already pay a disproportionate share of injury costs. The proposals move that share much higher without matching evidence, and consultation has been rushed and hard to verify.
We're building a permanent, credible voice so motorcyclists are never dismissed as noise again.