Vehicle Inspection New Zealand’s search for a new Hamilton site is over, with its purpose-built testing station in the city opening soon.
It is just 300 metres down the road from the company’s old testing station in Tasman Rd Te Rapa, but VINZ chief executive Gordon Shaw says the new site provides a much better experience for staff and customers alike.
“We had outgrown the old site. It wasn’t a purpose-build testing station – it was a retrofitted former truck repair business,” Shaw says.
“The new site has got state-of-the art inspection equipment, is a safer environment for staff and the customer facing inspection area is what you would expect to see in any OEM workshop.
“It’s the first standalone testing station VINZ has opened in six years.”
VINZ was looking for a new site for more than a year, which was followed by an 18-month build.
The new site has allowed VINZ to fit-out the testing station to cater for its heavy vehicle commercial customers and those bringing in their private cars.
The inspection pits are 30m long and VINZ has increased the number of testing lanes from two to three.
“For us this is an acknowledgement that regulatory inspections in the medium term are still going to be there.”
While the customer base is more slanted towards heavy vehicles because the its commercial location, the number of dealers setting up in Te Rapa has seen more cars coming through the testing station, Shaw says.
A low-key welcome for regular customers will take place on Thursday, followed by the official opening in March.
