An extension to fuel excise duty reductions and half-price public transport is intended to ease cost-of-living pressures, Chris Hipkins has announced in his first policy move as PM. Cutting fuel excise and keeping half-price public transport gives some extra relief as Auckland goes through a difficult period. At the time, Transport Minister Michael Wood said a decision not to extend half-price fares on public transport was based around making "sustainable" decisions. He said the money spent on the fuel tax cut would be better spent on making public transport more reliable - alongside permanent half-price fares. A 1News Kantar Public Poll in December showed an overwhelming majority of voters support permanent half-price public transport.

Source: Stuff January 31, 2023 23:59 UTC