NEWS
6 Hauraki-Coromandel Post
hcpost.news | Thursday, August 21, 2025
OPINION The
Government has announced the biggest change to how we fund our roading network in 50 years, with the move to replace petrol taxes with digital road user charges. At the moment, New Zealanders pay a tax of about 70c per litre of petrol every time they fill up at the pump with a petrol car. This revenue goes into the National Land Transport Fund which funds the building of new roads and maintaining our existing ones. In the past, paying petrol tax at the pump was broadly a user pays system for the upkeep of our roads; the more you drove, the more you paid. However, the rapid uptake of fuel-efficient petrol hybrid vehicles has meant that this system is no longer fit for purpose or fair on those who cannot afford a newer vehicle. Back in 2015, there were 12,000 fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles on our roads. Today there are over 350,000. If we want to be able to afford new roads, as well as maintaining our existing ones, the way we fund transport in New Zealand has to change. The Government’s plan will eventually see all vehicles pay based on actual road use, including weight, regardless of fuel type. This is already
the case for those with diesel, electric, or heavy vehicles, but the wider implementation of RUC for all drivers will require the system to be updated. This change won’t occur overnight, but legislation is expected to pass through Parliament next year and the development of the new RUC system will be well underway by 2027. There isn’t a set date for when the full switch from petrol taxes to digital road user charges will happen, because we want to ensure that the right system is in place before getting motorists to make the change. In other news, I recently hosted my colleague Dr Shane Reti in the electorate. Shane is the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, and we caught up with some of the innovative businesses in our region. It was inspiring to talk to people who are passionate about delivering world-class products from right here in the Coromandel electorate. We also held meetings in Katikati and Thames, which gave people a chance to hear about the role government plays in supporting innovation. Scott Simpson MP for Coromandel
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Scott Simpson with Dr Shane Reti in Paeroa.
Authorised by Scott Simpson MP, 614 Pollen St, Thames
COTTAGES AVAILABLE SOON
Located close to the township of Waihi, Waihi Lifecare Village is one of the region’s most idyllic yet affordable lifecare villages.
Our coages are set in a peaceful, rural seng with extensive lawn and garden areas which celebrate the heritage of the site. The village offers a range of one and two bedroom coages as well as a 65 bed care facility providing resthome and hospital level care for connuity of care. We have coages available soon so please contact us for more informaon or to book a viewing. We look forward to hearing from you.
Caring for the community since 1902
021 026 69258 | 18 Toomey Street, Waihi | steven@lifecaregroup.co.nz | waihilifecare.co.nz
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