NZealanders registering cars as hearses

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2006

WELLINGTON (AFP) — Canny New Zealanders have reportedly taken to registering their cars as hearses to take advantage of a loophole giving part-time undertakers a discount on their fee.

Many motorists in the city of Christchurch had managed to slash their registration from the normal levy of 260 dollars (160 US) to the special 60 dollar rate for "non-commercial hearses", radio station NewstalkZB reported.

It said some road users had successfully argued their vehicle qualified as a hearse because it was used to transport home dead chickens from the supermarket.

The station said a female caller revealed the scam during a talkback segment and Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ), which oversees car registrations, was not amused.

LTNZ spokesman Andy...