Te Ara Matatika | A Fair Charge for Better Cities

Cities that have implemented congestion charging have experienced a range of benefits including up to 30% less traffic, reduced congestion, lower emissions, and revenue from the scheme improving transport options.

However, given those on the lowest incomes in New Zealand spend up to 28% of their income on transport costs, it’s important that the policy doesn’t end up hitting them the hardest.

This report discusses how congestion charging can become an equitable part of a decarbonised transport system in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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Latest Media

• Newshub: Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown describes congestion charging as 'distraction', Transport Minister Michael Wood agrees there are 'other issues' (November, 2022).
• NZ Herald: Tom James: Time to get moving on public transport in Tāmaki Makaurau (May, 2022).
• The Kaka: Dawn Chorus for Tuesday May 10 (May, 2022).
• The Spinoff: Our first carbon budgets (May, 2022).
• National Business Review: Public transport key for congestion charging regime, says report (May, 2022).
• NZ City: The Government's expected to announce next week that congestion charging in Auckland could be introduced in 2025 (May, 2022).
• BusinessDesk: Congestion charging expected for Auckland (May, 2022).
• New Zealand Herald: Government likely to announce congestion charges in Auckland (May, 2022).
• Newshub: Congestion charge for Auckland CBD wouldn't negatively affect low-income communities, report says ahead of emissions plan (May, 2022).
• Stuff: Auckland ripe for CBD congestion charging, Wellington not - research (May, 2022).
• New Zealand Herald: Analysis: Why Wellington is next in line for a congestion charge (May, 2022).
• Transport Talk: Congestion charging must exempt freight, says NRC (May, 2022).
• National Business Review: "There were, and are no costless decisions", Finance Minister says (May, 2022).
• Newshub Budget 2022, Emissions Reduction Plan: What action on skyrocketing fuel prices, public transport, congestion charging could Kiwis see? (May, 2022).
• Stuff: Opinion: Wellington needs congestion charging to reduce emissions (May, 2022).