Editorial Team
Auto Luxe
The Christchurch-based team behind every news article published on this site.
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Reviewing every article before it reaches you.
The Auto Luxe editorial team runs the news side of the site. Based in Christchurch with a career in the New Zealand motor trade, the team writes and reviews every motorsport and automotive article before it goes live.
Facts are checked against primary sources, generic copy is trimmed, and drafts that do not hold up are killed. If it carries the Auto Luxe byline, we have signed off on it.
If you spot an error, have a story tip from the Canterbury motor scene, or want to get in touch about a listing we have covered, email us at sales@autoluxe.co.nz. Every correction request gets a reply and, where warranted, a visible note on the article.
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NZ and Australian motorsport, used-car market trends, dealer-side perspective on automotive news.
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Articles from the Auto Luxe team
- Motorsport·Supercars Championship·31 Aug 2026
Van Gisbergen and the Kiwi contingent after the latest Supercars round
The most recent Supercars round has reshuffled the standings with the season entering its final stretch. Here is where Shane van Gisbergen and New Zealand's other competitors sit.
- Automotive·used EV market·30 Aug 2026
Canterbury used-EV prices: has the slide finally stopped?
Two years of falling values, a vanished subsidy, and winter range worries have reshaped the Canterbury used-EV market. Here is what asking prices actually look like right now.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·29 Aug 2026
EV road user charges are here: what they actually cost you
NZTA's new RUC rates for light electric vehicles are now in force. Here's what the per-kilometre charges mean for Leaf and Ioniq owners in real annual running costs.
- Motorsport·Supercars Championship·28 Aug 2026
Van Gisbergen leads the points but the title is far from settled
Shane van Gisbergen holds the Supercars championship lead after the most recent round, but the margins are tight and the calendar is running short.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·27 Aug 2026
EV and hybrid running costs after NZTA's new RUC rates
NZTA's updated light EV RUC rates are now in force. We run the real per-kilometre numbers for Leaf and Aqua owners doing a typical Christchurch commute.
- Automotive·used EV market·26 Aug 2026
Used Leaf and MG ZS EV prices in Canterbury: has the slide stopped?
The Clean Car Discount is gone, winter range anxiety is real, and second-hand EV prices have been falling. Here is what the Canterbury market is actually doing right now.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·25 Aug 2026
Leaf vs petrol hatch: what it actually costs to run in Canterbury, 2026
The Clean Car Discount is gone and EV road user charges are here to stay. Here is what a used Nissan Leaf genuinely costs to run against a comparable petrol hatchback in Canterbury this year.
- Automotive·used EV market·24 Aug 2026
Do used EVs actually save you money in Christchurch now?
The Clean Car Discount is gone, RUCs apply, and older battery packs need scrutiny. Here's what a used Leaf or Niro EV genuinely costs to own today versus a petrol Japanese import.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·23 Aug 2026
Do the EV running cost sums still stack up in 2025?
RUC charges are locked in, power prices keep climbing. We crunch the real per-kilometre costs of the Nissan Leaf, BYD Atto 3, and MG ZS EV against a petrol Japanese import.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·22 Aug 2026
EV road user charges: are Kiwi owners still ahead of the game?
Light EV owners have been paying RUCs since late 2023. Here's what those charges actually add up to, and whether the numbers still beat a petrol or hybrid alternative.
- Motorsport·Supercars Championship·21 Aug 2026
Van Gisbergen holds ground as Supercars enters the sharp end of 2026
Shane van Gisbergen delivered a measured round as Supercars' 2026 season hits its mid-point. Here's where the Kiwi contingent stands and what the remaining rounds demand.
- Automotive·RUC & running costs·20 Aug 2026
What the new EV road user charges actually cost you in 2026
From 1 August 2026, the RUC threshold for light EVs drops to 3.5 tonnes with a revised per-kilometre rate. Here's what Leaf, Ioniq 5 and MG ZS EV owners will pay across a Canterbury year.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·19 Aug 2026
EV running costs just changed: do Leaf and Aqua still make sense?
NZTA's updated RUC rates for light EVs have shifted the numbers. We work through what Canterbury Leaf and Aqua owners actually pay per kilometre now, and whether used EVs still beat petrol.
- Motorsport·Supercars Championship·18 Aug 2026
Van Gisbergen holds ground as Supercars title fight tightens
Shane van Gisbergen banked solid points at the most recent Supercars round, but the championship margin is thinning with rivals closing across the final stretch.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·17 Aug 2026
Do EVs still save money in Canterbury in 2026?
RUC charges are locked in, power bills remain high, and used EV prices have softened. We crunch the real per-kilometre costs for the Leaf, MG ZS EV, and BYD Atto 3 against their petrol rivals.
- Motorsport·Supercars Championship·16 Aug 2026
Van Gisbergen leads Kiwi charge at Darwin but title fight tightens
Shane van Gisbergen took points at the Darwin Triple Crown, but the championship picture is tighter than the results sheet suggests. Here is where the Kiwis stand.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·15 Aug 2026
What NZTA's new EV road user charges actually cost you per kilometre
NZTA's updated RUC rates for light EVs are now live. We crunch what Leaf, Aqua PHEV and Ioniq 6 owners in Canterbury will genuinely pay per kilometre versus petrol, and whether electric still wins.
- Automotive·EV running costs·14 Aug 2026
What EV road user charges actually cost you per kilometre
NZTA's updated RUC rates for light EVs are now in effect. Here's what Leaf and Outlander PHEV owners will pay per kilometre compared to a petrol car.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·13 Aug 2026
What used EVs actually cost to run in Christchurch
RUCs, home charging, public top-ups, WoF, and winter range loss — we crunch the real annual numbers for the Leaf, Outlander PHEV, and BYD Atto 3 against a petrol benchmark.
- Motorsport·Supercars Championship·12 Aug 2026
Van Gisbergen holds ground as Supercars reaches the midpoint
The most recent Supercars round has tightened the championship picture, with Shane van Gisbergen among the Kiwi contingent worth watching as the second half of 2026 approaches.
- Motorsport·Supercars Championship·11 Aug 2026
Van Gisbergen leads the independents as Kiwis hold their ground at mid-season
The most recent Supercars round added another chapter to Shane van Gisbergen's independents' title push, while the broader Kiwi contingent delivered a mixed but meaningful set of results.
- Motorsport·Supercars Championship·10 Aug 2026
Supercars 2026: where the Kiwi contingent stands at the halfway point
The most recent Supercars round has reshuffled the championship order. Here is how New Zealand-connected drivers fared and what the standings mean from here.
- Automotive·used EV market·9 Aug 2026
Used Leaf and Aqua prices in the South Island: has the slide stopped?
The Clean Car Discount is gone, winter range anxiety is real, and South Island used EV and hybrid prices have taken a battering. Here is where the market actually sits today.
- Automotive·used EV market·8 Aug 2026
Leaf and Aqua prices in Canterbury: has the floor finally arrived?
The Clean Car Discount is gone, winter range anxiety is real, and second-hand EV and hybrid prices have taken a hit. Here's what Canterbury buyers are actually seeing right now.
- Automotive·used EV market·7 Aug 2026
Leaf and Outlander PHEV prices: has the floor held?
The Clean Car Discount is two years gone, Canterbury winters are doing their worst on EV range, and used Leaf and Outlander PHEV values have taken a beating. Here is where auction prices actually sit.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·6 Aug 2026
EV and hybrid running costs after NZTA's new RUC rates: do the sums still work?
NZTA's updated RUC rates for light EVs are now in effect. We break down what Leaf and Aqua owners in Canterbury are actually paying per kilometre against petrol equivalents.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·5 Aug 2026
EV road user charges kick in September 2026: what it costs per km
The RUC exemption for light electric vehicles ends 31 August 2026. Here is what Leaf, Ioniq 6 and BYD Seal owners will actually pay from September, and whether a used EV still beats a petrol car on running costs.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·4 Aug 2026
EV road user charges are here: do the numbers still work for Leaf and Ioniq 5 owners?
NZTA's updated RUC rates for light electric vehicles are now in effect. We crunch the real per-kilometre cost shift for Canterbury EV owners and compare the running costs against a petrol import.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·3 Aug 2026
What Christchurch EV owners actually pay under the new RUC rates
NZTA's updated light EV RUC rates are now in force. Here's what Leaf, Outlander PHEV, and BYD Atto 3 owners will genuinely pay per kilometre in 2026 compared to a petrol equivalent.
- Automotive·used EV market·2 Aug 2026
Used Leaf and Outlander PHEV prices: has the correction bottomed out?
The Clean Car Discount is gone and winter range anxiety is real. We look at what second-hand Nissan Leafs and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs are actually fetching at NZ dealers right now.
- Automotive·used EV market·1 Aug 2026
A year on from the Clean Car Discount: where EV prices actually landed
The Clean Car Discount ended in December 2023. Twelve months later, used Leaf and Aqua prices have shifted significantly. Here's what the market data actually shows.
- Motorsport·Supercars Championship·31 Jul 2026
Van Gisbergen leads Kiwi charge at Darwin but title gap narrows
Shane van Gisbergen took points at Hidden Valley but the championship picture tightened as his rivals closed in over the Darwin SuperSprint weekend.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·30 Jul 2026
What NZTA's new EV road user charges actually cost Leaf and Aqua owners
NZTA's updated RUC rates for light electric vehicles kick in 1 August. Here is what the per-kilometre shift means for Canterbury EV owners and the used-car price gap against petrol.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·29 Jul 2026
EV running costs after RUC: does the Leaf still make sense?
NZTA's new RUC rates for light electric vehicles are now in force. We work through what Leaf and Prius PHEV owners in Canterbury are actually paying per kilometre, and whether used EVs still beat a comparable petrol import on cost.
- Automotive·EV ownership / running costs·28 Jul 2026
EV road user charges are going up: what you'll actually pay
NZTA's revised RUC rates for light electric vehicles take effect 1 August. Here's what Leaf and Aqua PHEV owners will pay, how to buy ahead, and whether EVs still make sense.
- Automotive·used EV market·27 Jul 2026
Leaf and Aqua prices in Canterbury: has the floor held?
The Clean Car Discount is gone, winter range anxiety is real, and second-hand EV and hybrid prices have been sliding. Here is what the Canterbury market is actually doing.
- Motorsport·Supercars Championship·26 Jul 2026
SvG and Kiwi connections at the latest Supercars round
Shane van Gisbergen and the New Zealand contingent in Supercars faced a mixed round as the 2026 championship heads into its second half with the title fight tightening.
- Motorsport·Supercars Championship·25 Jul 2026
SvG leads the way as Supercars hits its midpoint
Shane van Gisbergen extended his championship lead at the most recent Supercars round, while the broader standings set up a tight contest through the second half of 2026.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·24 Jul 2026
EV road-user charges: what Leaf, MG ZS and Atto 3 owners actually pay now
The RUC exemption for light EVs ended 1 April 2024. We've run the real annual numbers for Canterbury's most common used EVs against a frugal petrol and diesel alternative.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·23 Jul 2026
Leaf vs petrol hatch: what the running costs actually look like in Canterbury
NZTA's updated RUC rates have changed the maths on electric vehicle ownership. We crunch the real per-kilometre numbers for Canterbury buyers choosing between a used Nissan Leaf and a comparable petrol hatchback.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·22 Jul 2026
What used EVs actually cost to run in Canterbury in 2026
The Clean Car Discount is gone, RUCs are locked in, and petrol is still under three dollars. We run the real annual numbers on the Leaf, Ioniq 5, and BYD Atto 3 against the Aqua and Prius.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·21 Jul 2026
EV running costs just changed: what the RUC rise means in dollars
The government's light EV RUC freeze ends 1 August 2026. We crunch the real annual cost shift for Leaf and BYD Atto 3 owners against a comparable petrol car.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·20 Jul 2026
EVs after the RUC exemption: do the numbers still work?
The free ride on road user charges is over for light EVs. We crunch the real running costs of a used Leaf and BYD Atto 3 against a petrol hybrid for a Canterbury buyer doing average ks.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·19 Jul 2026
Do used EVs still make financial sense in Canterbury?
With RUCs now applied to light EVs and the Clean Car Discount gone, we crunch the real weekly running costs of the Leaf, Aqua PHEV, and BYD Atto 3 against a petrol import.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·18 Jul 2026
EV running costs in 2026: do the sums still work for Canterbury drivers?
NZTA's updated RUC rates for light EVs changed the maths for used Leaf and Aqua buyers in early 2026. Here's what Christchurch commuters are actually paying per kilometre now.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·16 Jul 2026
EV road user charges are here: what it actually costs Leaf and Ioniq 5 owners
NZTA's light EV RUC rates are now active. We work through the real per-kilometre cost change for Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Ioniq 5 owners, and what it means if you're weighing a used EV right now.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·15 Jul 2026
Leaf vs petrol hatch: what the numbers actually say for Canterbury commuters
RUC charges for light EVs are now a real line item. We run the actual annual costs for a used Nissan Leaf against a comparable petrol hatchback on Canterbury roads.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·14 Jul 2026
EV running costs after the RUC change: does a used Leaf still beat a petrol Aqua?
NZTA's light EV RUC rates took effect 1 July 2026. We run the real per-kilometre numbers for Leaf and Ioniq 6 owners against a petrol Aqua and hybrid Corolla at current second-hand prices.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·13 Jul 2026
What EV owners actually pay per kilometre under the new RUC rates
NZTA's updated light EV RUC rates are now in effect. Here is what Leaf and Ioniq 5 owners will pay per kilometre in 2026, stacked against a comparable petrol car on real Canterbury distances.
- Automotive·EV ownership costs·12 Jul 2026
EV road user charges are here: do the numbers still work for Leaf and Aqua buyers?
NZTA's updated RUC rates for light electric vehicles change the cost equation. We work through what Leaf and Aqua owners in Canterbury actually pay per kilometre now.