New Zealand - The air was thick with motorcycle exhaust fumes as a 550-strong convoy roared through Nelson on Saturday to express distaste for proposed ACC levy hikes.
The riders tooted, yelled, did two-fingered salutes, waved flags and one pillion passenger held a placard above her head reading "down with ACC levies" during the protest, which ended at ACC Minister Nick Smith's office.
The protesters, from all over the South Island, started off at the Richmond Park showgrounds, zapped past Dr Smith's Stoke headquarters, did a loop of central Nelson and then headed back to congregate in the minister's car park.
They rode an assortment of touring and racing bikes, Harley-Davidsons, Triumphs, vintage motorcycles, dirt-bikes and scooters. They kept to the road rules and there was no police presence.
One woman had "I voted Labour" written on the back of her vest, some wore German helmets and others rode with their children as passengers. Under the proposed levies, owners of bikes over 610cc will have their annual ACC levy increase from $252.69 to $745.77. Levies for medium-sized bikes will increase from $252 to $511 and moped owners will face a $257 levy.
During the protesters' arrival at Dr Smith's headquarters, one rider was met with screams of "woo-hoo" after he did a burnout on the concrete near Dr Smith's carport.
About half of the riders squeezed into the minister's meeting room to watch him receive a letter from the protest organiser, Steve Page. Dr Smith welcomed the riders and after a brief speech, answered questions. He said he was surprised at the number of riders who participated in the protest.
"It's not every day I have the Lost Breed in my office," he said.
He told the crowd no final decision had been made on what the levy increases would be because the consultation phase was still open. ACC was "seriously in the financial pickle", he said. "It's fair to say I was a bit taken back and surprised by the scale of the increases by the board when it notified me."
However, Dr Smith said he was also surprised by the increased cost and number of motorcycle accidents in New Zealand. He handed out information sheets to the riders with various facts and figures, including the fact that last year ACC paid out $62 million to care for people injured while on motorcycles.
Mr Page, who is also the president of the Route 6 Motorcycle Club, said the protest was a success and thanked Dr Smith for meeting the congregation.
"I am very proud of the riders. It's the largest turnout [of motorcyclists] to date for Nelson." He had not given a "fat rat's bum" about protesting for anything in the past, but the ACC levies were different.
Annika Ohlson-Smith, whose partner Allan Smith was a member of the Nelson branch of the Ulysses Club, said that it was a great turnout.
She was holding a flag with the club's name and its stuffed mascot, Horatio Hog. "I think it's absolutely awesome. I think everyone who has a tiny scooter in the garage has come out."
One of the older riders was Keith Cranness, 71, who has an 800cc BMW.
He had been riding and competing since the age of 15 and said the the ACC hikes were "ridiculous".
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