Latest news with #MazdaDemio
1News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- 1News
Learner drivers' options running out of gas as charity's car on 'last legs'
Learner drivers could be left in the lurch if a charity that provides free lessons is unable to replace its ageing car. Outwest Youth, based out of Helensville in Auckland's north-west, gives lessons to those who can't get them elsewhere. But its 14-year-old Mazda Demio is now in need of retirement. For the past five years, the trust has been using the dual-control car but according to general manager Naomi Bartley, it's getting old and is on its 'last legs'. 'We've had some reasonably major repairs needed on it the last couple of times and it's just beginning to give those signs that it's going to need to be retired.' Bartley said the car was on the road almost every day and covered a considerable distance. ADVERTISEMENT 'Helensville's a good 40 minutes from an area that is suitable to train drivers with the complexity of driving that they need to be able to pass a restricted or a full licence test. 'We do big kilometres simply back and forth from Helensville to Westgate, back and forth.' Lost confidence Sapphire Wynyard, a 22-year-old sparkie from Helensville, had lost confidence in driving and struggled with anxiety around taking a test. She said that thanks to Outwest's lessons, she was able to regain her confidence and pass her full licence test. "It's definitely a lot easier to sit the test because you get into a car and you know what to expect," she said. "When you do five lessons, know what you're doing and you're able to do it with ease and not be so nervous when you do the test." She said being able to drive had opened her "freedom and independence". ADVERTISEMENT "I don't have to nag my parents on a day-to-day basis to drive me to places or to just be able to hang out with my friends." She also said it had opened up opportunities at work, too. "Having my full licence means that I can have another person in my vehicle with me to go to job sites rather than them having to meet me." Fundraising drive The youth trust supports young people aged 10-24 in the town by providing mentoring, life skills, alternative education and youth work. Among the work they do is licence support and free driving lessons for all ages, to make access to jobs, education and social opportunities easier. Because the driving course was not funded, Outwest needs to pay for the new vehicle out of its own pocket. To achieve this, they set up a Givealittle page. ADVERTISEMENT Bartley said getting a new car in working condition was vital for those who needed the lessons. 'In our area, we have minimal public transport, so for the most part, if they don't have a licence, they're either driving illegally or they're pretty isolated and probably not living as full of potential life as they could because of the lack of mobility. 'The roads are safer, and you can be employed and contribute to the economy.'
Otago Daily Times
03-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Teen girls and 11-year-old in Dunedin joyriding spree
The youth were in a Mazda Demio which is often targeted by car thieves. Photo: supplied Three Dunedin teenagers and an 11-year-old driving the wrong way on the motorway had allegedly spent almost 12 hours joyriding in stolen cars and committing petrol drive offs. The four were stopped travelling the wrong direction in the northbound lane of the motorway near Saddle Hill at 12.14am this morning, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said. They had earlier come to the attention of police after an alleged a petrol drive off from Z Andersons Bay. The group, which included an 11-year-old boy, two 16-year-old girls and a 15-year-old girl, had been spotted by police in Victoria Rd in a Mazda Demio reported stolen from an Opoho address earlier in the day. When they were stopped near midnight, the 15-year-old girl was driving, and all four were taken to the station. While speaking to the young people with parents and nominated people present, police discovered the crew had also allegedly stolen a Mazda Familia from the Golden Centre Carpark at about 2.50pm yesterday. The 15-year-old was the driver in both the stolen cars. They had allegedly committed another petrol drive off earlier in the day from the same petrol station, Snr Sgt Bond said. The two 16-year-olds were charged with unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle, and the 11-year-old was charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle. All three were referred to Youth Aid. The 15-year-old received two charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, two charges of theft, and underwent breath testing procedures. She recorded a breath alcohol level of 150mcg. She would appear in Dunedin Youth Court on Monday.
Otago Daily Times
30-04-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Teen car thieves to go unpunished
A Dunedin woman says she is being "punished for someone else's crime" after the teenagers who stole her car got away with a "mere slap on the hand". Victims of car thefts have contacted the Otago Daily Times and flooded social media over the past week to share the sometimes devastating impact caused by "someone's five minutes of fun". Andersons Bay resident Breeanna Rawlinson's Mazda Demio was stolen from outside her house on April 17. The vehicle's ignition had been ripped out, the dashboard covering destroyed and windows smashed. Her mechanic told her he had not been able to source parts for her Demio since the type of car was stolen frequently. "Police informed me it was a couple of youths and that they would appear in court. However, they would not be punished, and I would not receive a single cent to pay for towing or repairs to my car because of their age. "I felt I was being punished for someone else's crime." Ms Rawlinson recently had to stop working due to her health — not having a car made going to the hospital and her appointments nearly impossible. "I have not been able to attend my health appointments, have had to reschedule, and put off receiving much-needed care." She said more than anything, there was stress, anxiety and a feeling of violation after knowing people had been inside her car and taken something that belonged to her. Ms Rawlinson was just one of many victims who reached out to the ODT . Maryhill resident Kristy Parker was putting her bins out at night on Good Friday when she spotted a running car with its windscreen wipers on. The next morning, she went out and the car was still running. It was not until Mrs Parker got closer that she noticed the rear windscreen and ignition were smashed. Looking around, her husband then asked, "Well heck, where is your car?" Mrs Parker assumed the thieves had stolen the first car, dumped it on her street, before stealing her car, which was later found in Brockville. She said it felt like she was now "in the same boat" as half the city. "It's just such a rigmarole for someone's five minutes of fun." Bridgman St Panelbeaters commercial manager Jarrod Hodson said he had been in the repair industry for decades and had never seen so many cars coming in for repairs after being stolen. "It used to be something that we would only see maybe once in a few months, at best. Now it's coming in waves." Seeing six to seven stolen cars needing repairs was now common. Many would ultimately be deemed total losses, Mr Hodson said. Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said police investigated all offences reported to them and undertook forensics for all recovered cars, to dust for fingerprints and collect DNA samples to help track down offenders. There had been spikes in this type of offending before, when groups would go out together and steal vehicles for joyrides, Snr Sgt Bond said. "It's an unfortunate reality as cars do get stolen." Asked if the offending was more prevalent among youths, Snr Sgt Bond said police did not know "until we get the evidence". "It's easy to, I guess, blame one group of society. "But regardless of their age, we look to hold them accountable." Police were also bound by legislation as to how they could respond to youth offending after it occurred. Deterrents included buying steering wheel locks, parking near CCTV cameras, not leaving valuables in the car and familiarising yourself with the normal vehicles and activity on your street, Snr Sgt Bond said.
