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Hi I was wanting your advice on importing a late model Mazda RX-7 FD3S Series 8 (S8) from japan because the later model RX-7's are quite Rare in New Zealand as they were only sold in Japan. Not your usual beaten up "boy racer" car. I have done my research and believe it should pass as a special interest vehicle as it is a 2 door coupe, high performance sports car the Series 8 had the most HP (280HP) out of all of the RX-7's made, had a total production number of 68,589 between 1991-2002 with the majority of those build between 1991-1995. this would mean that less than 20,000 were made each year ( I should be able to find more precise numbers if required). I have also found reference to it on "car and driver's" website (http://www.caranddriver.com/features/nineties-collectibles-mazda-rx-7-chevrolet-corvette-zr-1-gmc-syclone-typhoon) which mentions them as a "nineties collectable" bit is referring to the earlier model S6/7 ( what is normally seen in NZ) not the later Japanese model (S8) which is less common. I have also found reference to it on motor trend (http://www.motortrend.com/classic/roadtests/9112_1992_mazda_rx_7/) on this page they also speak about the earlier S6/7 as they never received the S8 in the USA but the images on this page are all of S8 except the red one. Motor trend also has a feature video on their Youtube channel of a series 8 RX-7 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQvwlsSvOWY) but it is of a special one off LHD Spirit R (the highest spec you can get) I will not be getting a Spirit R but it gives a idea on how collectible they are if Mazda USA specially gat a LHD one made for them. They have been labeled one of the best handling sports cars ever made. quote from Wikipedia " The FD RX-7 was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year. When Playboy first reviewed the FD RX-7 in 1993, they tested it in the same issue as the [then] new Dodge Viper. In that issue, Playboy declared the RX-7 to be the better of the two cars. It went on to win Playboy's Car of the Year for 1993. The FD RX-7 also made Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 1993 through 1995, for every year in which it was sold state-side. June 2007 Road & Track proclaimed "The ace in Mazda's sleeve is the RX-7, a car once touted as the purest, most exhilarating sports car in the world."After its introduction in 1991, it won the Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference Car of the Year award in Japan." What would my chances be in getting a SIV permit even with the prejudice these cars receive as being "boy racer" cars? if you meet all the criteria do you get the permit or is it still up to the person signing it to decline it on their own opinion? sorry for so much detail, I could write an essay pleading my case :) thanks for your time Hayden

You can write as much as you like to plead your case, but it's not me you have to convince, it's NZTA!
Firstly, I believe the total (200) annual SIVs for 2014 have all been used up, so you'd need to wait until 2015.
You need to apply to NZTA, along with your application fee of $153, but there are no guarantees you would be successful.
Haviing said that, if you're importing a car over 20 years old, it is not required to meet the frontal impact and emission standards, so it may be easier than you think.
If you do wish yo pursue the SIV application, you need to submit this form to NZTA.