Auckland man Taylor Crawshaw has successfully defended his right to keep his personalised license plates, “NUTSAX,” after the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) initially demanded their forfeiture due to a complaint about their ‘offensive nature’.
The plates, which Crawshaw intended to use to raise awareness of testicular cancer, sparked a debate that reached high levels in the New Zealand Government.
Crawshaw, a 20-year-old builder, bought the plates second-hand about three years ago. Originally purchased in jest, he later decided to use them to promote testicular cancer awareness.
About three months ago Crawshaw was informed by the NZTA of a complaint about the plates’ ‘sexual connotations’ and was told to forfeit them by February 8.
After posting about the issue on social media, Crawshaw received widespread support. He contacted David Seymour, leader of the Act Party and Regulations Minister, who then wrote to Transport Minister Simeon Brown, urging a review of the decision. Brown forwarded Seymour’s letter to the NZTA.
Following this intervention, the NZTA reversed their decision, allowing Crawshaw to keep the plates provided he added “Check Ya” above “NUTSAX” to clarify the message about men’s health.
Crawshaw’s said he was satisfied with the outcome, calling it a win for ‘standing up for one’s beliefs.’
Seymour said the incident was a victory for common sense and a challenge against public service overreach.
