The 'Dumping Ground' Bogeyman Is Misleading Vehicle Transport Policy

The phrase “dumping ground” used in the context of the used import vehicle industry has no basis in fact and is undermining smart policy settings. VIA's chief executive argues it's time to retire the rhetoric and return to facts.

A misleading slogan is shaping New Zealand’s vehicle policy, and it’s time to park it for good.

Greig Epps, Chief Executive of the VIA (Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association), says the term “dumping ground” is increasingly being used to justify unreasonable and unnecessary conditions on used vehicle imports, but it’s a trope that lacks definition, legal weight, or evidentiary basis.

“‘Dumping ground’ is a bogeyman by those opposed to Kiwis owning used import vehicles. It’s a phrase, not a standard,” says Epps, whose organisation represents businesses that import and certify used vehicles from Japan and other countries.

“It has crept from a few submissions into policy summaries and political speeches, but it muddies the conversation and distracts from what actually matters.”

What the evidence shows

Contrary to the claims implied by the term, Epps says the record shows that New Zealand is not being flooded with unsafe or high-emitting vehicles from Japan.

“Japan’s emissions standards are internationally respected. New Zealand’s entry compliance regime is among the toughest in the world, and the hybrids and smaller petrol vehicles that dominate the current mix of used imports have lower CO emissions than much of our existing fleet,” he says.

On average, vehicles are taken off (deregistered) New Zealand roads after 20 years or so. Once inspected and approved, a ten-year-old Japanese import entering the New Zealand fleet is safer and cleaner than the older vehicle it replaces.

The risk of tighter gates

Using unsubstantiated rhetoric as a basis for tightening import rules creates unintended consequences, Epps says.

“If you over-tighten the import gate, you don’t magically improve the fleet. Instead, you stall its renewal. Families hold on to older vehicles longer, which slows scrappage and raises the average fleet age,” he says.

Epps says it is a paradox: attempts to prevent a so-called ‘dumping ground’ scenario may actually cause one by choking off access to newer, safer, lower-emission vehicles that real households can afford.

Problems with policy drift

VIA has raised concerns about recent changes to emissions testing thresholds. For many years, NZ-new vehicles could comply with either Euro 5 or the baseline Japan 2005 standard. Under the new approach, used imports must now meet Euro 5 or a Japan 2005 level that is 75 percent stricter than its baseline; effectively requiring Japanese used imports to meet a higher bar than many new vehicles sold here over the past decade, without clear evidence of additional environmental or safety benefit.

“Instead of targeting real-world emissions outcomes, we’ve seen a focus on lab test formats, a clear counter-evidential bias for European standards over Japanese standards. That’s not smart regulation; it’s risk aversion dressed up as progress,” says Epps.

In parallel, the Clean Car Standard penalties have reduced the supply of popular, family-sized models, placing additional pressure on affordability and forcing New Zealanders into cars smaller than are appropriate for their needs.

Three points for policymakers

Epps urges those involved in transport policy to:

1. Drop unhelpful slogans – Avoid terms like ‘dumping ground’ that carry no legal definition and distract from measurable outcomes.
2. Focus on evidence and parity – Align regulatory thresholds with real-world risk and ensure new and used imports are treated consistently.
3. Prioritise fleet renewal at scale – Support a steady supply of both new and mid-life vehicles to refresh the fleet affordably and sustainably.

Back to first principles

“New Zealand’s import standards are strong,” says Epps. “But when rhetoric starts driving policy, you risk distorting settings and harming the very outcomes we all want to improve; emissions, safety, and affordability.”

He says it’s time to move past slogans and return to facts. “Let’s dump the phrase and lift the debate.”

Potential pull quotes:

• “‘Dumping ground’ is a phrase, not a standard.”
• “You don’t improve the fleet by stalling its renewal.”
• “Let’s dump the phrase — and lift the debate.”

For more information: www.via.org.nz

About: VIA (Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association) represents businesses involved in importing, preparing, wholesaling, and retailing used vehicles into New Zealand, primarily from Japan, Singapore, and other markets. As the industry's collective voice, VIA engages with government and stakeholders to support fair regulation and sustainable practices across the sector.

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