KEY POINTS:
Here are more of your views:
John Lieswyn
Absolutely in favour of a petrol tax. Noisy cars are causing New Zealanders to perpetuate a vicious cycle of sprawl trying to escape to ever more distant "quieter" suburbs. Cars, not trucks, are the cause of the larger numbers of transport related injuries and deaths. Tax fuel and encourage alternative forms of transport instead.
Matt Jeffs
Most other countries readily accept that if they want a decent environmentally friendly public transport system and an infrastructure that maintains it and the roads then it needs to be paid for via some sort of levy. However I believe that this should be a levy raised across the entire country not just for Aucklanders. More tax wealth heads out of Auckland than into it on an annual basis. So I can't really see what the problem is with the rest of the country once in a while contributing to the hand that feeds it. An improved public transport system in greater Auckland or even the upper North Island would in return benefit the New Zealand economy with the greater ease of movement for commuters who work in and around the country's economic hub but wish to live in more affordable areas.
Bunny
You are all a bunch of whinging Jaffas, I hope you dont move south. Who needs you? I hope they slap a $50 tax on you.
Richard Foster
Well what a surprise, another tax on petrol which is already being taxed to the hilt. In addition I'm guessing that the extra amount will end up being 10cents plus GST. So there we have it, a tax on a tax on a tax. But wait there's more. Each year the 10cents will also be adjusted for inflation and then the GST will also be added on top of that as well.All of the above happened with the 5cents that was introduced a couple of years ago. In the last election I remember labour announcing that they had 'found' extra money to be used for roads. Have they managed to lose it again?
Bryan Life
I'm thrilled with the prospect of a 10 cent tax on petrol; I own a bike shop!
Jonesie
If it moves, tax it. If it sleeps, tax it. If it works, tax it. If it complains, tax it. If it eats, tax it. If it spends. tax it. If it saves, tax it. If it produces, tax it. If it creates, tax it. If it consumes,tax it. If it breeds, tax it. If it farts, tax it. If it builds..tax it. If it dies, who cares. The only thing they can't tax, are dreams and laughter and they are probably considering that.
Stuart
As long as it's only a tax and not a tax plus toll roads. That would really be frustrating.
Suzy
Yesterday I paid $1.51.9 for petrol. That is the 'usual' Christchurch price, On the West Coast of the South Island [still in New Zealand] the price is always 6 cents higher than Chch making it $1.57.9 per litre.Aucklanders haven't got anything to complain about until the price of their petrol is greater than that charged in places like Reefton, where it is more than the 'regular' West Coast price. As usual Aucklanders want the rest of the country to pay for their pleasure! And now the census says they are mostly foreigners in that city.Just shows government wisdom in letting them in .
Michael
Im really starting to get fed up with this government. These godless, liberal tax-raisers tell us to spend our spare cash funding a new transport system, while they have their chauffeur-driven limousines paid by us working class taxpayers.
Al
It seems that the smallest thing now will prompt the oil companies to increase the price of petrol, I think if the "tea lady" at BP or Mobil got a cold and had to use a sick day it would be excuse enough for us paying another 10 cents a litre in their minds... The govt. needs to put some reigns on the oil companies and start to pull them up into some control, I am sure the oil companies can still turn a billion dollar profit per quarter(as opposed to multi billion dollar profits per quarter) at the same time bringing the cost of fuel into realm of reasonable again. But no, the govt. just wants to jump on the band wagon and help gauge the motorist for their last hard earned cent as well. If Auckland wants big flash motorways and refuses to use public transport then put road tolls on all the new roads, motorways and byways, user pays!!! It worked well for years to pay for the Harbour Bridge!
Julie Anne Genter
It is a wise idea to put a tax on petrol because it sends a clear signal to the economy.There are many negative externalities caused by our economy's reliance on petrol for transport; especially air and water pollution, but also greenhouse gas emissions, traffic congestion, and very high land values (because of all the space required for roads, parking and service stations). All of us will have to pay for these environmental and social costs sooner or later. The role of government is to correct negative externalities through economic instruments like taxes and/ or road tolls. In the case of petrol, not only does this help correct problems like pollution, it also helps the economy prepare for the future--when oil could be 3-4 times dearer than it is now. My only complaint is that 2/3 of the money raised by this tax will go to build more roads, which will only exacerbate the problems of urban sprawl, automobile dependence, pollution, and economic vulnerability to the price of oil.Put on a national petrol tax, regional and state highway road pricing, and put all of the surplus funds (after maintenance of the existing roads) into transport systems--for people as well as goods--that are truly sustainable. This will benefit everyone; even those who choose to use their cars once in a while, as there will be much less congestion when they do.
Aucklander
Firstly, for those people in other regions of the country who are saying that this is fair since they are going to use the tax for Auckland, but did any of your consider that Auckland is already paying its share, if not more, in tax money to the government. Not to mention the fact that most of the country's GDP is generated from Auckland. Secondly, unlike other countries, raising petrol will not deter people from driving, because there are simply no alternatives for people. Thirdly, whatever happened to taxes imposed ages ago? Gone down to repaving Queen Street? And whenever Auckland needs money for roading, the government turns around and tells the local council, 'This is your problem', so the council goes onto raising our rates. In the end, after all the taxes and rates, I haven't seen any improvement in the traffic around Auckland.Fourthly, has anyone ever consider the fact that the Auckland CBD has become too crowded, why hasn't anyone thought of developing a second CBD on the north shore, or something? Now, I still haven't gotten around to mentioning the great other problems that this government has with OCR and a great deal more.
Brannigan
I believe that it is totally wrong for the mayors to back this rip off tax.Wellington Ratepayers did not pay to have their train lines electrified, We taxpayers paid for that over the years and for years we taxpayers continued to subsidise the low cost fares Wellington commuters enjoyed. It's only since the mid 80's that the Wellington public have paid, via their rates an equitable share of the costs. Why and how do Auckland Mayors and the ARC find this proposal acceptable, when a fair majority of their residents disagree. Thank heavens the local body elections are only four and a half months away, so these Mayors etc can be swept away. Since the 70's little money has been spent on Auckland's infrastructure from taxation, for years it was acknowledged the we Aucklanders subsidised the price of petrol etc throughout NZ, paid a major share of the various Governments petrol tax grabs, to provide beautifully built sealed roads across NZ. However when its Aucklands turn to benefit. the rest of the country objects. I believe that jealousy of Auckland is the key to reason this proposal has been proposed, and this current government will not the fortitude to do what is right and spend the money were it is collected.
Don
A year or so ago this so called government spent over a million on trying to get ex-pat kiwi's to return to this joke of a country where we are already overtaxed with nothing to show for it,(no airforce,2 frigate navy, 4 year waiting lists for public hospitals, etc).Goodbye NZ, your just another qualified tradesman,oops tradesperson down.
Ray
Another kick in the guts for the pensioners they will soon have to get push bikes as they will not be able to afford these petrol increases.
Peter Wilson
Yes, we need to pay for the motorway system somehow, and even though 10c is hardly going to do it, we need to show we are raising at least some of it ourselves before we go to the government for more money (which we will need to). I am, however, appalled by the idea from the greenies in Waitakere, that this should only be spent on public transport. What Auckland needs is a completed roading network so that people can drive their vehicles where they want to go, when they want to go there, not just when and where the planners tell us we should go. The bus service should certainly be improved, but any talk of railways is just expensive, tree hugging nonsense, which will never work in a city as widely distributed as Auckland.
Andrew
This is great news - actually I proposed the 10 cent a litre regional tax to Dr Cullen and Mr Hubbard in May last year. This is the email that I sent them: I write with great concern over the comments of Dr Cullen as reported in the NZ Herald front page (16 May 2006). "the future lies with roads and buses - rail will never work". I am very disappointed with this comment regarding Auckland's public transport. Has Dr Cullen ever lived in Auckland in the last 20 years? Buses stink - literally. Rail with a combination of light rail / tram and more heavier suburban rail (the German U-Bahn and S-Bahn model) with park and ride links has to be part of any public transport solution for Auckland. It is environmentally cleaner, would improve our quality of life as it is quick and could be priced to provide cheap transportation for low income earners. I am perturbed that property owners have to foot the bill, again. The people who should be paying for this are those who drive. Accordingly a Bombay to Orewa petrol tax should be introduced - let's say 10 cents a litre or more.
Brendon Hosken
Blue said" "Us lot below the Bombays are sick of supporting Aucklanders - never go near the place - put a road toll on - user pays." I wasn't aware our country's economic hub was such a burden on the rest of the country (sorry - just the southern part of the country). How ever do you manage spending all that tax generated by Auckland while benefiting from subsidised prices for products and amenities like phone lines and postage? You poor sods. But still it's nice to see the jealous, small minded 'us & them' attitude is still alive and kicking out there. Very constructive - I hope you're teaching your kids all this.
Andrew Montgomery
The idea has some merit, but much greater accountability is required of our local bodies with respect to the manner in which they waste ratepayers money in many areas - eg building consents. Also central govt has spent an additional $20 billion over the last few years with nothing to show for it.
Central and local govt need to display a sense of willingness to audit their spending if they want the masses to agree to such a tax.
Abundant1
Sick! Sick! Sick! Tax is the only vocab with this govt. How much of the current petrol price is already tax? Plus GST- tax on tax! I would rather pay toll - at least I have control. In taxes- they can do what they feel like! Wish it were election year this year!
Stewart Mills
1.Define no to further taxes. 2. Redefine Auckland Councils and Regional Council system - one mega city concept. 3. It is high time citizens [and the press] asked far more searching questions of all politicians, both local, regional and Central as to where taxes already being collected are being spent? Aucklanders are being expected to pay for years of neglect from past bad judgment of many if not all of these areas. It is high time a firm no was issued to all political parties and local governments until they are held accountable for spending - in effect a quarterly achievement statement should be mandatory for all aspects of Government. The lack of accountability would not be tolerated in any other industry.
Warwick Rope
I am against having a regional petrol tax. The government collects a large tax from petrol already. A further increase would be inflationary. It lacks economic sense.
Another angry Aucklander
10cents/litre is just the beginning of bigger problems coming. Less than a week ago some report indicated that kiwis do not save. In July this year kiwi saver comes into play. On the front page of the NZ Hearald this weekend a report indicated that if you do not earn $70K you will not be able to afford a house in 10 years time. The orc has gone up today. Public transport has gone up not too long go. Some might say petrol is not a necessity but indirectly it effects your commodities because now all else will follow, food prices will increase, transport prices too as a start needless to mention what will follow. Already healthy food is incredible expensive e.g. chicken breasts at $17/kg not to mention fish at $20/kg. These are healthy food one is suppose to eat. Healthy bread e.g. Vogel now $4.50/ loaf. Good god we have serious problems coming. Fix the public transport for a start. Presently its no better than third world standard. The public busses smells bad to mention one small problem. I'm afraid we have a banana government. Wait the problems is only starting. Be afraid be very afraid.
Mischa
Finally. after years of underfunding Auckland is joining the 21st century. Electrification of rail is really only just the beginning of a major public transport upgrade.
Graham Boyd
The Government already takes 40 per cent of the petrol price and another 10 per cent for Aucklanders only is over the top. A large number of outsiders will get the benefit of these roads without contribution as they bypass Auckland. Go for the toll road and everybody pays.
Lily
I live on the North Shore, and I would happily pay an increase in petrol tax if it would make the slightest difference to the transport situation here but it won't.The bus links are dire from Devonport and Takapuna, and only go to Britomart, although most of the commuters on the motorway are going to Newmarket, Panmure or further. There is inadequate parking for the ferries, and Bayswater has just started charging $4.50 a day for previously free parking which will close down the ferry service there and drive even more people onto the roads. Esmonde Road (the only motorway link from the peninsula) starts to get congested at 7am or earlier, and it is common to sit in a queue for half an hour before reaching the motorway (which must be poisoning the local residents). The bus lane that has proved so disruptive is not going to change this because the bus service does not serve the commuters' needs. George Wood is right. The whole transport situation on the shore needs thinking about properly to spend money on something that will actually make a difference, like light rail.
Jacqui
I'm tired of being charged extra (or reading about proposed extra charges) for my petrol when there is no bus or train that I can use to get to work. I do what I can to minimise trips. My car is full on my way to work , but still I am expected to subsidise public transport. I have tolerated the disruption on the motorways for the bus lanes which I shall never use. Short of spending the day walking to and from work, there is nothing more I can do. I don't want to catch two buses at a cost of approximately $6 per trip per person for myself and my children to get to work - my car trip only takes 15 minutes - the bus would take approximately 2 hours.
Phil
More petrol tax, or a few more billions for the slush fund and nothing will change!
Ian
Bring on the Local and General Elections! So Mr Hubbard wants the new tax to be 0.60cent-$1 per litre extra and then the Council will feel happier in achieving their forever repeated dream of a "world class Auckland". Get real! What's happened to all the extra GST collected on petrol since about 3-4 years ago when we were paying 0.83 cents a litre? At the next elections we need to ask some direct questions on the various so called policies of all Parties and get rid of all the old Politicians most of which have past their used by date.
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