REVEALED: NZ Police Misfuel Vehicles 45 Times, $20,000 In Damage

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that over the last three years there have been 45 instances of Police vehicles being filled with the wrong fuel, costing taxpayers $20,475.42 on avoidable repair costs.

According to the Police’s response (IR-01-25-37668):

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley said:

“Police are under pressure, hit by scandals, and inability to make recruitment targets have plagued the force this year. Yet somehow there’s room for nearly $21,000 of completely avoidable mistakes because someone couldn't check a fuel cap.”

“People expect Police to manage millions in assets we fund responsibly. Instead, we’re seeing the same mistakes repeated year after year with no sign the organisation is learning from them.”

"Don't be tricked by this year's improvement, purchasing new vehicles where wrong refuelling is impossible to make it the only thing bringing these numbers down."

“Until Police cars get to the point this mistake cant happen, maybe it's time to return to horseback for some of these officers.”