Improvements would be made to the system through 2026 in preparation.
Brown said the transition would ensure all road users – regardless of their vehicle – were contributing fairly to road upkeep.
“When users pay for a service, they aren’t just participants. They become customers, and customers naturally expect and demand the highest level of service.”
It’s not clear when or how petrol taxes might be phased out, given the Government had earlier signalled a 12-cent tax hike in 2027.
Queried on the point, Brown told RNZ the detailed timing had yet to be finalised.
Cabinet was also planning to make changes to tolling legislation next year, Brown said, in line with the shift towards “user-pays”.
“We expect that [the Transport Agency] NZTA will consider tolling to construct and maintain all new roads, including the Roads of National Significance (Rons), and that the Government will support all recommendations.”
NZTA, also known as Waka Kotahi, would soon begin consultation on tolling proposals for the Manawatū Gorge and two Rons: Takitimu North Link, and Ōtaki to north of Levin.
“These corridors offer significant benefits for Kiwis and freight, and it makes sense for those who benefit to contribute towards these projects,” Brown said.
Brown said the existing funding model was clearly not “fit for purpose” and needed significant reform to provide certainty for the funding of infrastructure.
“The NLTF is under increasing pressure and is not sustainable. Taxpayers have had to top up the fund and take on more debt just to pay for the infrastructure they need.”
The Government has also signalled the increased use of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), and targeted rates or ‘value capture’ to fund infrastructure.
The National-Act coalition agreement included a commitment to “work to replace fuel excise taxes with electronic road user charging for all vehicles, starting with electric vehicles”.
In March, the coalition passed legislation requiring light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids to pay RUCs.
