Hino Motors NZ$10.9M Diesel Emissions Settlement, New Zealand Truck Owners Have 10 Days to Register

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against the official Shine Lawyers NZ settlement page (shinelawyers.co.nz/hinomotors), the Notice of Proposed Settlement filed in the High Court of New Zealand, and Hino Motors Ltd.’s official disclosure statement dated December 25, 2025. Last Updated: May 8, 2026

New Zealand vehicle owners have entered into a settlement agreement with vehicle manufacturer Hino Motors Ltd and distributor Hino Distributors (NZ) Limited for NZ$10.9 million. The in-principle settlement remains conditional on court approval and is being advanced in the form of a class action. If you currently own or lease, or have previously owned or leased, a new or used Hino vehicle in New Zealand with a diesel engine manufactured between 2010 and 2022, you are encouraged to register your interest in the settlement process — and the deadline to do so by mail is 18 May 2026.

Quick-Facts: Hino Motors New Zealand Settlement

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	NZ$10.9 million
Settlement Status	Proposed — Pending High Court of New Zealand approval
Registration Deadline	18 May 2026 (paper/mail forms)
Who Qualifies	Anyone who currently owns or leases, or has previously owned or leased, a new or used Hino vehicle in New Zealand with a diesel engine manufactured between 2010 and 2022
Affected Models	Hino 300, 500, and 700 series with diesel engines
Eligible Purchase Period	March 4, 2010 to March 3, 2025
Proof Required	TBD — eligible class members will be contacted with further details after registration
Defendants	Hino Motors Ltd. and Hino Distributors (NZ) Limited
Court & Jurisdiction	High Court of New Zealand, Auckland Registry
Lead Law Firm	Shine Lawyers NZ
Official Registration Site	shinelawyers.co.nz/hinomotors
Last Updated	May 8, 2026

Current Status and What Happens Next

• The settlement is conditional on court approval. Upon court approval, the entire NZ$10.9 million settlement amount will be transferred to the plaintiffs’ solicitors by Hino Motors Ltd.
• The Settlement Approval Hearing date in the High Court of New Zealand (Auckland Registry) has not yet been publicly confirmed. Check shinelawyers.co.nz/hinomotors for updates.
• Eligible class members will be contacted with further information about the settlement administration process and next steps after registering.
• The opt-out and objection deadline is also 18 May 2026 for mailed forms. Online forms are available now at hinomotorsaction.shinelawyers.co.nz.

What Is the Hino Motors New Zealand Lawsuit About?

The settlement follows Hino Motors Ltd.’s public admission in 2022 that it had falsified fuel efficiency and emissions testing data to secure vehicle certification in Japan. The claimants alleged that Hino Motors Ltd misreported engine performance data concerning fuel efficiency and emissions for a range of diesel vehicles manufactured and exported to New Zealand between 2010 and 2022. The claim also alleged that Hino failed to meet its obligations under New Zealand consumer protection laws by not adequately disclosing these issues.

The class action was originally filed on March 3, 2025 in the High Court, with plaintiffs alleging they suffered losses due to purported fraudulent conduct tied to Hino engines not meeting emissions and fuel-efficiency standards. The claimant group includes owners and buyers of diesel vehicles manufactured by Hino from January 1, 2010 to August 22, 2022, purchased in New Zealand between March 4, 2010 and March 3, 2025.

Hino said it chose to settle after weighing the risk of a prolonged process and the potential impact of lengthy litigation on management and future business. The company emphasized that agreeing to a settlement does not mean it accepts the plaintiffs’ claims or admits liability.

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This case runs parallel to Hino’s broader global accountability for its diesel emissions conduct. Hino Motors also reached a separate NZ$237.5 million U.S. civil class action settlement for American truck owners in 2024, and pleaded guilty to criminal fraud charges in the United States in March 2025 as part of a wider US$1.6 billion global settlement with U.S. authorities.

Who Qualifies for the Hino Motors NZ Settlement?

The eligibility test is straightforward. If you are a New Zealand-based owner or lessee of a Hino diesel vehicle from the relevant period, you likely qualify to register.

You may qualify if:

• You currently own or lease a Hino diesel vehicle in New Zealand with an engine manufactured between 2010 and 2022
• You previously owned or leased such a vehicle, even if you have since sold it or it was written off
• You purchased a used Hino truck fitted with a qualifying diesel engine
• The models that may entitle you to compensation include both new and used vehicles from the Hino 300, Hino 500, and Hino 700 series

You are likely NOT included if:

• Your Hino vehicle was manufactured outside the 2010–2022 diesel engine window
• Your vehicle was not purchased or leased in New Zealand
• You are a director, officer, or employee of Hino Motors Ltd. or Hino Distributors (NZ) Limited

If you are unsure whether your vehicle qualifies, contact Shine Lawyers NZ on 0800 450 130 or email before the deadline.

How Much Can You Get from the Hino NZ Settlement?

Upon court approval, the entire NZ$10.9 million settlement amount will be transferred to the plaintiffs’ solicitors by Hino Motors Ltd. The exact per-vehicle payout will depend on the total number of valid registrations submitted and the court-approved distribution scheme.

The Proposed Settlement Distribution Scheme is available as a downloadable document on Shine Lawyers’ official Hino action page. Individual payout amounts are TBD — pending final court approval and the total number of registered class members. Registering now is the necessary first step to being considered for compensation.

How to Register for the Hino NZ Settlement Before 18 May 2026

Option 1 — Online (recommended, fastest):

Visit hinomotorsaction.shinelawyers.co.nz/Registration and complete the online form. Online registration closes on a deadline posted on the site — check now.

Option 2 — By mail (deadline: 18 May 2026):

Download the Registration Form from Shine Lawyers’ official page, complete it, and send it to: Shine Lawyers, PO Box 273, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140, by 18 May 2026.

Step-by-step:

Step 1 — Go to shinelawyers.co.nz/hinomotors or call 0800 450 130

Step 2 — Click “Register for settlement” and complete the form with your vehicle and contact details

Step 3 — Provide details of your Hino vehicle(s) including the engine manufacture year and model series

Step 4 — Submit your registration online — or print, complete, and post the paper form so it arrives before 18 May 2026

Step 5 — Wait for contact from Shine Lawyers with further instructions on the settlement administration process

Registration is free. You do not need to hire a separate lawyer to register. No-cost assistance is available from Shine Lawyers throughout the process.

Important Hino NZ Settlement Dates

Milestone	Date
Hino Motors admits falsifying emissions data (Japan)	August 2022
Class Action Filed, High Court of New Zealand	March 3, 2025
In-Principle Settlement Agreement Reached	December 25, 2025
Settlement Publicly Announced	March 9, 2026
Registration / Opt-Out / Objection Deadline (mail)	18 May 2026
Settlement Approval Hearing	TBD — High Court of New Zealand, Auckland Registry
Expected Payment Date	TBD — after court approval and resolution of any appeals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a class action lawsuit against Hino Motors in New Zealand? 

Yes. The claim was filed in March 2025 and covered thousands of affected Hino vehicles — both new and used — including models from the 300, 500, and 700 series. A NZ$10.9 million settlement has been proposed and is awaiting High Court approval.

Do I need to do anything right now to be included? 

Yes — you need to register before the deadline. If you do not register and the settlement is approved by the court, you will be bound by the settlement but will not be entitled to any compensation. The deadline for mailed paper forms is 18 May 2026.

Can I still register if I no longer own the Hino truck?

 Yes. You can still register your interest if you sold the vehicle or if the vehicle was written off.

Can I register if I bought a used Hino truck? 

Yes. You can still register your interest if you bought a used Hino truck. Eligibility covers both new and used vehicles within the qualifying engine manufacture years.

When will I receive my payment? 

TBD — payment will only be distributed after the High Court of New Zealand grants final approval and any appeals are resolved. Check shinelawyers.co.nz/hinomotors for hearing date updates.

Is this settlement legitimate?

 Yes. It is administered by Shine Lawyers NZ, a specialist litigation firm, and is pending approval in the High Court of New Zealand, Auckland Registry. The only authorized registration site is hinomotorsaction.shinelawyers.co.nz. Registration is free and requires no upfront cost.

How were Hino trucks misrepresented?

 Hino Motors Ltd. publicly admitted in 2022 that it had falsified fuel efficiency and emissions testing data to secure vehicle certification in Japan. The specific allegation is that Hino misreported engine performance data in relation to emissions and fuel efficiency for diesel vehicles manufactured and exported to New Zealand between 2010 and 2022.

What if I want to opt out or object to the settlement? 

You can opt out or object using the forms available on Shine Lawyers’ official page. All forms must be received or postmarked by 18 May 2026. If you opt out, you will not receive any compensation but retain the right to pursue your own claim independently.

Sources & References

• Official Settlement Registration Page: shinelawyers.co.nz/hinomotors
• Shine Lawyers NZ Media Release — Vehicle owners settle claim against Hino for $10.9m (March 9, 2026): shinelawyers.co.nz
• Autofile NZ — Vehicle owners settle against Hino (March 10, 2026): autofile.co.nz

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. This case is subject to New Zealand law and the jurisdiction of the High Court of New Zealand. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified New Zealand solicitor.