Auckland Council has voted to implement an 11.5 cent per litre fuel regional fuel tax (RFT) on Auckland petrol users, starting this July.
The new National Party leader says the tax is not needed and will cost Auckland families $700 a year. (Source: Other)
The council voted 15-2 in favour of the tax, with NZ Herald reporting it's expected to generate $150 million per year.
The tax can be implemented for no longer than 10 years.
Prior to today's council meeting, the levy was expected to raise fuel by 10 cents per litre, and comes in addition to the government's national-wide fuel excise increase.
The Transport Minister said his 10-year funding package is hinged on a new regional fuel tax. (Source: Other)
In his first economic speech, National Party leader Simon Bridges said the RFT was an unnecessary tax and would cost an average Auckland family around $700 a year.
Mr Bridges also added that the government and Auckland Council should not need the RFT to raise funds for transport projects.
In the latest Colmar Brunton poll , Auckland's regional fuel tax received a slim majority support from the city's residents.
The poll of just under 4000 people showed 52 per cent of people supported the tax with 43 per cent opposed.
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