Wagner Nicky: General Debate 
Wagner Nicky: General Debate 
[Volume:654;Page:3869] 
NICKY WAGNER (National) 
: 
 Every day that I come into this House I mentally thank the people of New Zealand for voting for National at the last election. I thank the public for voting for National so decisively that at last after 9 long years of Labour our Government can finally get on with building a new stronger and better New Zealand. After 9 long years of mediocrity of a lack of aspiration of trending downhill economically and of boy racers we have a Government that is taking action on the things that matter to New Zealanders the most. 
Yesterday at last common-sense legislation was announced to deal to boy racers but why did we have to wait so long for it? Since I came into Parliament I have been agitating for action. Until we got a National Government I was hitting my head against a thick Labour Government brick wall with Harry Duynhoven sitting perched on top of it. Labour dragged the chain and the problem became worse and worse. As Labour looked on the boy-racer culture developed grew and flourished. Dangerous driving noise and antisocial behaviour was everywhere in our cities in our towns and at gatherings across the countryside. As Labour dragged the chain families businesses hospitals and even animals bore the brunt of its lack of action. New Zealand developed a tarnished international reputation for that bizarre behaviour which affected our tourist expectations and the income that comes into Christchurch from tourism. 
Night after night people were disturbed kept awake and intimidated by hordes of boy racers who were indulging themselves in fast noisy alcohol-fuelled good times at the expense of everyone else. Unless you heard it yourself you cannot imagine the threatening effect— 
Hon Annette King 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. You required David Cunliffe not to address members as “you”. The member just said “Unless you”. If we are to have the same rules for all members then the member must not address the Chair in that way. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I apologise for not having picked that up. The honourable member will please comply. 
NICKY WAGNER 
: Thank you Mr Speaker. Unless people have heard it themselves they cannot imagine the threatening effect created by large numbers of souped-up high-decibel cars screeching around city streets or down country roads. It sounds as if the city is out of control and it feels like anarchy. People hate it. They are well and truly over it. 
In my city of Christchurch people have been calling for Government action for years and this week they got it. There is much delight in having a “three strikes and you’re out” option to crush cars in the legislation. People who have lived the nightmare of having boy racers in their neighbourhood will love to see an end to the cars that make their lives a misery. But there is also a reasonableness about New Zealanders so they support the giving of a series of warnings to boy racers before drastic action is taken. There are three deliberate steps towards the crusher. Everyone was young once but there is absolute support for a process that means repeat offending has a real consequence. A crushed car cannot race; a crushed car cannot disturb the peace. 
The real practical value of this legislation is the provision of more tools for the police. I have worked closely with the police on this issue in Christchurch and I believe they have done a great job with limited resources. While most of us were home in bed and complaining—and the phones to the police station ring hot at night—the police were out there night after night dealing with these issues. It has been a very frustrating exercise. I am particularly pleased that this legislation will give the police the tools to make a difference and the police are pleased about that too. I pass my congratulations on to the Minister of Police Judith Collins and to the Minister of Transport Steven Joyce. This sensible legislation will work. It will make New Zealand a better place to live and work in and it will make New Zealand a much more attractive tourist destination which will help those dollars to come in. Thank you.