With Government transport subsidies set to be removed at the end of June, the AA has advice on ways people can prepare for the bump in fuel prices.

The last day of the 25 cents per litre discount on petrol (a discount on the Government’s Fuel Excise Duty), and the equivalent discount on Road User Charges*, will be 30 June. By the time GST is added, reinstating the tax will add nearly 29 cents per litre to petrol prices from 1 July or soon after.

The discounts have provided some financial relief to New Zealanders for more than a year. Initially they were introduced in March 2022 in response to the fuel price spike caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and they have been extended multiple times since.

The AA has been supportive of the discount as a way to alleviate some cost-of-living pressure, says AA fuel spokesman Terry Collins, but they had to end at some point.

“Few people will be happy about fuel prices going up, but international oil prices aren’t currently at the highs they were when the tax discount was introduced so the impact will be lower,” he says.

“The fuel tax money that motorists pay goes into maintaining and improving roads, as well as other transport network investment, and we all know our transport network is in dire need of upgrades,” he says.

The Government has topped up transport funds via other tax sources over the past year, but fundamentally the discount – which has equated to around $2 billion lost in tax income - isn’t sustainable long-term, says Terry.

AA’s advice for drivers

AA fuel spokesman Terry Collins’ first piece of advice for drivers is that they shouldn’t wait until the very last day of the discount to fill up.

“It’s human nature to wait until the last minute, but I’d advise people to fill up their tank at least two or three days before the 30th of June to avoid any potential queues. Some service stations overseas have been swamped by vehicles when a fuel discount has been coming to an end, causing long queues that spill out onto nearby roads which can create a hazard. Also, to avoid the possibility that some petrol stations might sell out if there’s a final rush in your neighbourhood, take advantage of the lower prices a day or two early.”

Once the subsidy comes off, Terry says there are still other ways people can limit the impact of higher fuel costs on their household budgets.

“The best way to save on fuel is to use another way of travelling rather than driving if you can, but that obviously only works in some situations.

“For the majority needing to use a car, it’s worth shopping around for fuel. There can be big differences in fuel prices between different petrol stations in the same area. The Gaspy App shows you all your local prices. You can also make significant savings by making the most of the numerous fuel discount schemes.

“People can also cut down on fuel consumption by driving smoothly – your car performs more efficiently when you drive at a steady speed. Having a heavy foot on the accelerator and brake pedals chews through more fuel than you’d think. And make sure all your tyres are at the right pressure.

“Other worthwhile tactics are planning trips to avoid congestion and combining multiple tasks in one outing. Anything that cuts down on engine running time will reduce fuel consumption,” says Terry.

30 June - some public transport subsidies also end

At the same time as fuel prices increase, current public transport subsidies are also set to end, meaning ticket prices will double for adult bus and train users from 1 July.

The Government announced that prices for children and young people will continue to be discounted, but this is causing implementation issues for some public transport operators. From 1 July, children aged 5-12 are meant to join under-fives and ride for free, while tickets should remain at half price for young people aged 13-24 as well as for Community Service Card holders and Total Mobility Users.

ENDS

For more information contact:

Primary contact from now until 28 June:
Terry Collins
AA Principal Policy Advisor
027 223 4028
tjcollins@aa.co.nz

Primary contact from 28 June onwards:
Simon Douglas
AA Chief Policy & Advocacy Officer
021 607 647
sdouglas@aa.co.nz