Kia Ora Jason,
NZ Post doesn’t hold any information in reference to the computerisation
of the Motor Vehicle Register system, which based on the year provided was
undertaken by the Post Office, a year prior to NZ Post being formed in
1987, some 37 years ago. We are unable to provide this information in
accordance with section 18(g) of the OIA.
 
However, a retired staff member who worked in the area at the time has
been consulted and provided the following information as his recollection
–
 
What is known of the digitisation process that was carried out?
No papers are held by NZ Post concerning the process carried out. We are
unable to provide this information in accordance with section 18(g) of the
OIA.
While the link that you provided relates to the current organisation
responsible for the register (NZTA), the computerised register was
operated by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) following NZ Post.
There is a MOT file at Archives NZ which relates to an “Initial Review of
Motor Vehicle Register”  dated 1988 Ref R8672667 which may have some
useful information.
 
Were the paper records sent to the National Archives?
NZ Post does not hold any record of papers relating to the digitisation
process being sent to National Archives (name change to Archives NZ in
2000). We are unable to provide this information in accordance with
section 18(g) of the OIA.
NZ Post did file an accession of papers relating to Motor Registration
with Archives NZ and included in these papers are files relating to the
Computerisation, including a feasibility study, Cabinet Committee
memorandums, implementation/conversion and the Motor Vehicle Register on
the Wanganui Computer. The accession, known as W3342 also contains files
relating to carless days, number plates and a number of other vehicle
related subjects. All of the files are “open access”
A list of the files is attached, with the reference number used by
Archives NZ in Column A.
In order to view the files at Archives NZ in it Wellington Reading Room
refer to
[1]https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web...
There are also MOT files at Archives NZ which relate to “Motor Vehicle
Register”  
 
Were they destroyed?
It is understood that the paper-based records were indeed destroyed.
 
Where are the paper based records currently located and are they
searchable?
The retired staff member advised that there is a series of paper based
records at the National Library, Wellington titled ‘Registration of motor
vehicles in NZ arranged in postal districts/ NZ RMTA (Retail Motor Trade
Association) from 1924 – 1974. National Library’s reference is -
[2]https://natlib.govt.nz/records/21343931?
 
If you have any concerns about our inability to provide certain
information, you may complain to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Ngâ mihi,
OIA Officer
NZ Post

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Jason Ray <[FOI #28995 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 31 October 2024 12:58 pm
To: Oia Officer <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - OIA Request: What happened to the
paper based MVR Records
 
Dear New Zealand Post Limited,

I would like to know what happened to the paper based Motor Vehicle
Register Records after NZ Post computerised them in 1986,

I understand from info on the below page that vehicles that did not have
active registration at this time were not added to the register that is
now held by NZTA.
[3]https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www....

Questions:
What is known of the digitisation process that was carried out?
Were the paper records sent to the National Archives?
Were they destroyed?
Where are the paper based records currently located and are they
searchable?

I can be quite difficult for people who have old vehicles with no record
of registration to re-register them and the information that was once held
on these vehicles by the Government would make re-registration much easier
along with containing interesting info on the vehicles for the current
owner.

Yours faithfully,
Jason Ray

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