Car audio crews fight back against govt's boy-racer crackdown

Car audio crews and local leaders in South Auckland say they are concerned about the Government’s upcoming crackdown on boy racers.

They have labelled the Anti-Social Road Use Bill as heavy-handed and warned that it risks criminalising Pacific families and cultural gatherings associated with Pasifika car enthusiasts.

Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says events he and his children have attended are being unfairly classified alongside boy racers.

“The government should not be using a hammer… it needs to be more targeted and ensure it’s well defined what type of group they’re trying to target.

"Otherwise, this seems to be curbing the freedoms of people to congregate - the freedom of association, the freedom of protest or gathering.”

Junior Fa’auiga, a car enthusiast and events organiser from Manurewa, says the meets are safe. Local Democracy Reporting joined Fa’auiga at a community car event he organised earlier this month, where enthusiasts showcased their vehicles, including bikes, complete with loud music and sirens.

Community car meets in South Auckland feature cars, bikes and loud sound systems, drawing families as well as enthusiasts. Photo/PMN News Mary Afemata

“It’s just a safe space that you can come and express yourself,” he says. “As you can see, it’s family vibes, so there’s not anything dangerous.”

But his concerned that the new law could criminalise Pacific youth. “The law says any groups that look intimidating, they can confiscate your vehicle and crush it. That’s not us.”

Fa’auiga argues that councils should create safe spaces for gatherings instead of treating car audio crews like boy racers, saying they need places “like skate parks, but for us”.

South Auckland crews argue their gatherings are safe spaces, now under threat from new boy racer laws. Photo/PMN News Mary Afemata

“We’re not boy racers”

Simon, a long-time enthusiast from Flatbush, says misinformation fuels the crackdown. “We’re not boy racers. Boy racers go out and cause mayhem. We just park up. It’s all for the love of music, family, community.

“It’s a completely different scene. There’s no one speeding, doing anything stupid. Everything’s done safely”.

For 20-year-old Miu, from Ōtara, the dream is to gain recognition by establishing a permanent gathering spot.

“We’re not out there to cause a nuisance. We all come together as one because it’s all for the love of sounds.”

Dorothy Fa’auiga, Junior's wife and a mother of six, says the car audio has provided a safe and creative environment for raising her children.

“Our children were bored, so we introduced them to car audio,” she says. “Now even our six-year-old wires his scooter with sirens. We’re not racing, we’re not abusive, we love our cars. Why would we ruin something we put so much time and love into?”

She says their gatherings have grown into community events. “We hold the biggest bass meet in New Zealand. If we had a safe, dedicated space, it would be even bigger. Families could come without fear of being shut down.”

Mexs, leader of the Mamba Familia crew, says the scene keeps young men focused on positive activities. “It’s the only way to keep us out of trouble, gang and all of that. We all grew up with our dream car and building it from scratch.”

He says the gatherings are about community, not crime. “I’d tell people we’re just chilling. Have a few, a barbecue, and show our cars. That’s it.”

Local organisers say car audio meets have become family-friendly events celebrating Pacific culture and cars. Photo/PMN News Mary Afemata

Apulu: A role for councils and local boards

Apulu says the events show “a whole bunch of positives” that should be recognised by local government.

“They’re not there to race. They’re not there to do skid marks on the roads. They’re not there to destroy public property. Although they’re car enthusiasts, they’re not the ones doing this anti-social behaviour.”

He believes Auckland Council and local boards could designate safe sites for these gatherings and even submit proposals related to the bill.

“I’d love to work with the group… we could do a submission as well. The more councillors and local boards that support this, the stronger the movement.”

Government: restoring safety to the roads

Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the crackdown is needed.

“New Zealanders are sick of seeing boy racers and dirt bike riders putting everyone around them at risk,” he says.

“We’re taking action by bringing in much tougher penalties for idiots who use our streets as racetracks.”

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says boy racers “only care about one thing: their car”. He insists that tougher laws will make them “think twice about fleeing Police or driving dangerously”.

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.