The counterfeit WOFs are authorised under the "Native Waka Motor Vehicle Act 2005". From a distance, they look pretty good.

Counterfeit warrants of fitness that are being issued to cars with bald tyres could be deadly for motorists, a garage owner says.

Car repair shops in Northland are reporting seeing cars issued with bogus warrants under the "Native Waka District Motor Vehicle Act 2005" .

Mandy Hauraki, from the Rawene Service Station in Hokianga, Northland, said cars with the counterfeit stickers were showing up with bald tyres and in need of hundreds of dollars worth of work.

She said drivers were forking out $260 for the fake WOFs and registrations.

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Hauraki said she was angry that someone was putting drivers' lives at risk.

"We had a chat to one who came in with a rego and and warrant and he said they paid somebody $260," Hauraki said.

"My question is, who is the person making all of this money? Who's the mastermind making $260 off everybody who thinks it's okay?"

The invalid stickers are emblazoned with the words "Whakamana Waka" (Whakamana roughly translates as "to authorise") and resemble a New Zealand Transport Agency-issued sticker, complete with an official seal of Aotearoa and expiry date.

Hauraki said the mechanics have serious concerns about the safety of those cars.

"Right down to four bald tyres," Hauraki said. "The ones we've actually seen, the cars are in excess of $500 in repairs.

"I asked the boys in the workshop, we had a good talk about it. They think it's bizarre that people actually think they can get away with it."

A Ministry of Transport spokesperson confirmed the "Native Waka District Motor Vehicle Act 2005" doesn't exist.

New Zealand Automobile Association motoring services general manager Stella Stocks has concerns vehicles haven't been through the proper inspections.

"People have a responsibility to keep their vehicle safe in between their (WOFs) as well, but if this hasn't had a correct Warrant of Fitness, it is a concern for safety."

A Ministry of Transport spokesman said the WOF system is in place to ensure vehicles are inspected regularly and are safe to be on the road.

"It's always concerning when people are circumventing the law," he said.

"However, it is particularly worrying if people purchase this label instead of putting their vehicles through the official Warrant of Fitness process, as they are probably not undertaking the safety checks which assess the roadworthiness of vehicles."

The Ministry spokesman said the WOF system is continually monitored, action taken and, where appropriate, the police may also be involved.

"If drivers are using vehicles with an invalid Warrant of Fitness, they may be putting themselves and other road users ar risk by not having the vehicle properly inspected. This is a road safety issue that's taken seriously."

It's not the first time fake WOFs have been issued, the spokesman said.

In February, former Christchurch mechanic Jeremy Burrell pleaded guilty to charges of dishonesty after issuing 15 fake WOFs.

Car owners were staying tight lipped over who issues the fake stickers.

In 2011, passport scammer Gerard Teoi Otimi was sentenced to 18 months in jail over 38 fraud convictions after he charged $500 to Tongan and Samoan overstayers, giving them permission to remain in the country.

Hauraki claimed the warrants were being issued by someone associated with the Maori sovereignty movement.

"People are claiming sovereignty around here, but who's actually making the money? They're just as bad as the government.

"They're not doing anybody a favour by giving them out for free, are they?"

Drivers caught without a valid WOF can be fined and risk having their vehicles ordered off the road by Police until such time as a specialist has inspected the vehicle. The fines include $200 for no evidence of inspection and $150 for operating a vehicle not up to WOF standards.

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