Coroner finds cardan shaft braking system inherently dangerous

Saturday 15 November 2025 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Sat 15 Nov 2025, 2:06pm

In this story NZ Transport Agency

A coroner has described a specific braking system as inherently dangerous, linking it to six deaths since 2010. Selwyn Rabbits, whose son died in a vehicle accident involving these brakes, has been campaigning for Waka Kotahi to take action regarding the 70,000 affected vehicles. NZTA currently disagrees with the findings.

How they headlined it

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1. RNZSat 15 Nov 2025, 5:06am

   The father fighting NZTA over 'inherently unsafe' brakes in some 70,000 vehicles (opens in new tab)

2. NewsroomSat 15 Nov 2025, 6:00am

   A failed braking system led to his son's death – it wasn't the first, or the last (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldSat 15 Nov 2025, 2:06pm

   Father of workplace death victim fighting NZTA over ‘inherently unsafe’ brakes in 70,000 vehicles (opens in new tab)