Public transport fares across New Zealand will be temporarily cut by 50% between April and June, as part of a cost-of living package which aims to assist with the pressure caused by the escalation in global energy prises.
The government is also cutting petrol excise duty and road user charges which are levied on diesel vehicles by 25 New Zealand cents a litre, with the changes introduced on 15 March.
Petrol prices in New Zealand are over NZ$3 (£1.56) a litre, with the cost of unleaded petrol increasing by 15% since the start of the year and is expected to continue to rise.
“We cannot control the war in Ukraine nor the continued volatility of fuel prices but we can take steps to reduce the impact on New Zealand families,” said Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister.
“In the long term we need to build greater resilience into our transport system so we are less vulnerable to spikes in the price of petrol, but for now halving the cost of public transport will provide some families with an alternative to filling up the tank.”
