Official announcements and public statements from ministers, ministries, and government agencies relating to Road User Charges. Includes ministerial quotes, policy announcements, media releases, and public-facing updates.
66 resources
The Government launched a Request for Information (RFI) seeking proposals from private companies for electronic RUC payment systems as part of modernizing New Zealand's road user charges framework. The initiative aims to transition 3.6 million light petrol vehicles to RUC with technology options including automated payment systems while maintaining strong privacy safeguards. This follows the Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill which enables new technology and market competition for RUC collection.
Speech by Transport Minister Chris Bishop to the Future Roads 2025 conference addressing roading industry concerns and government transport policy including road user charges modernization and infrastructure delivery.
The Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill introduced to Parliament modernizes both road user charges and tolling frameworks to create a fairer and simpler transport funding system. Key RUC improvements include enabling electronic systems to replace outdated 1970s manual paperwork processes. Tolling changes enable corridor tolling and flexible tools to deliver Roads of National Significance projects faster.
Cabinet agreed to legislative changes enabling the transition of 3.5 million light vehicles from petrol tax (Fuel Excise Duty) to electronic road user charges, described as the biggest change to transport funding in 50 years. The move addresses equity concerns as fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles (350,000 on roads, up from 12,000 in 2015) and EVs contribute less per kilometer than older vehicles often owned by low-income households. The transition will happen in stages beginning with RUC system modernization and enabling private sector innovation.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop's speech to the Building Nations 2025 conference reflecting on infrastructure challenges and the need to boost economic growth through better infrastructure delivery. The speech addresses systemic barriers including regulatory complexity and planning system inefficiencies that make building infrastructure harder than in previous decades.
The Government announced a Revenue Action Plan addressing the National Land Transport Fund's sustainability challenges and infrastructure deficit. Key commitments include transitioning all light vehicles to road user charges by as early as 2027, reforming tolling legislation, unlocking value capture tools, and better use of existing NLTF funding. The plan supports delivering Roads of National Significance and major public transport projects with certainty for the transport sector.
The new NZTA App launched as a secure platform for paying Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges, displaying expiry dates for Warrants of Fitness, Vehicle Registrations and RUC end distance. Future updates will include toll payments and vehicle safety ratings. The app rollout paves the way for a Digital Driver Licence in New Zealand as part of government digitization efforts.
Cabinet agreed to a reduced road user charge rate of $38 per 1,000km for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) when light EVs moved into the RUC system from April 1, 2024. The reduced rate recognizes PHEVs use both petrol and battery power, avoiding double-charging through both fuel excise and RUC. This temporary measure addresses variability in the current system where fuel efficiency creates inequities, with less efficient vehicles owned by low-income households often paying more.
The draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 outlined over $20 billion in investment over three years prioritizing economic growth, maintenance, resilience, and safety. Key commitments include re-introducing Roads of National Significance (15 projects), $2.3 billion for public transport services, $2.1 billion for PT infrastructure, and $640 million increase in road maintenance funding compared to the previous government's draft. New State Highway and Local Road Pothole Prevention Activity Classes direct $3.1-4.8 billion to address potholes.
The coalition Government confirmed the RUC exemption for light electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids will end from April 1, 2024, with owners paying $76 per 1,000km (EVs) and a reduced rate for PHEVs. The change ensures equity and fairness so all road users contribute to road maintenance regardless of vehicle type. The exemption introduced by the previous National Government was always intended to end when EVs reached around 2% of the light vehicle fleet. A two-month transition period allows registration without penalties.
The Road User Charges (Temporary RUC Reduction Scheme) Amendment Bill passed Parliament extending the transport cost of living support package in response to global inflation and high fuel prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The package includes a 25 cent per liter petrol excise cut, RUC reduction, and half-price public transport fares all extended to June 30, 2023. The RUC reduction benefits families and reduces operating costs for light and heavy diesel vehicles transporting goods.
The Government extended the petrol excise duty cut to February 28 then phased it out by March 31, 2023, with half-price public transport fares extended to end of March 2023. Extensions timed to link with significant increases to Family Tax Credit, Superannuation, benefits, student allowances and childcare support on April 1. The government also made half-price public transport permanent for one million Community Service Card holders and Total Mobility Scheme users from April 1, 2023, transitioning from broad to targeted cost of living support.
The Government extended the 25 cent per liter petrol excise duty cut, road user charges reduction, and half-price public transport fares by more than five months until January 31, 2023. The measures reduce the cost of filling a 60 liter tank by over $17 and save an average person paying two $5 fares daily $25 per week. Treasury estimated the combined policy impacts reduced headline inflation by 0.5 percentage points in the June 2022 quarter, providing relief from high fuel prices driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Budget 2022 announced a cost of living package including a two-month extension of fuel excise duty and road user charges cuts plus half-price public transport, and a new temporary cost of living payment for 2.1 million people earning up to $70,000. The package cost $814 million for the payment and $235 million for the FED/RUC extension. Combined with earlier measures including April increases to benefits, Working for Families, Superannuation, student allowances, and Winter Energy Payment, the package aimed to support New Zealanders through global inflation driven by supply chain pressures and the Ukraine war.
The Road User Charges (Temporary RUC Reduction Scheme) Amendment Bill passed Parliament delivering a 36% reduction across all legislated RUC rates effective April 21, 2022. The reduction is part of the Government's transport support package responding to the global energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. The package also included a 25 cent per liter petrol excise cut and 50% reduction in public transport fares. The reduced RUC rates benefit families and decrease operating costs for road transport industry delivering essential goods.
The Government announced a cost of living relief package cutting 25 cents per liter off petrol excise duty and road user charges for three months, and halving public transport fares, in response to the global energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine. The Government committed to top up lost revenue to the Land Transport Fund ensuring all funded transport projects would not be affected. The package formed part of broader cost of living measures including April 1 income increases for the majority of households through Working for Families, Superannuation and benefits, plus Winter Energy Payment restarting May 1.
The Government extended the Road User Charges exemption for light electric vehicles to March 31, 2024 as part of the Clean Car Package to encourage EV uptake and reduce emissions. The exemption saves EV owners around $800 per year, combined with charging costs equivalent to buying petrol at 40c per liter offering huge savings. The extension supports those who purchased EVs before the Clean Car Discount was announced, while the Low Emission Transport Fund received nearly four times more funding by 2023 to grow the nationwide EV charging network.
Speech by Finance Minister Grant Robertson to BNZ Breakfast on the Budget Policy Statement covering fiscal policy, economic outlook and government priorities including transport funding and road user charges.
Speech by Transport Minister to the Road Transport Forum 2019 addressing road transport industry priorities including road user charges, heavy vehicle regulations, and infrastructure investment.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced an extension of the road user charges exemption for light electric vehicles to December 31, 2021, saving drivers up to $600 per year. The exemption is part of the Government's Electric Vehicles Programme aiming to double EV numbers annually to reach 64,000 by 2021. Charging an EV is equivalent to buying petrol at 30 cents per liter versus $2 per liter for petrol, with EV owners potentially saving $3,000 over five years through the RUC exemption.
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