Aucklanders might be prepared to pay for a regional fuel tax, but that isn’t the case in regional New Zealand, according to the Automobile Association.
The comments come after prime minister Jacinda Ardern ruled out a regional fuel tax being implemented anywhere else in the country, following speculation one might be introduced in Wellington.
AA principal advisor Barney Irvine told Stuff the AA doesn’t support regional fuel taxes outside Auckland.
“Auckland is a different case – the infrastructure challenges are far more acute there.
“We’ve seen clearly from [Auckland] members in surveys over the last four to five years pretty consistent expressions of willingness to pay more, to get more out of the transport network, and a degree of openness to the fuel tax being the tool to do that.
“There’s no reason to think there’s a similar view elsewhere.”
Opposition leader Simon Bridges raised the prospect of a regional fuel tax in Wellington, but that was quickly dismissed by transport minister Phil Twyford and Wellington mayor Justin Lester.
Auckland’s fuel tax was introduced in July to raise funds for desperately need infrastructure projects.
