Labour had many new ideas for taxes to fund its social policies in its first term in power but walked them back during the election campaign following an outcry, saying there would be no new taxes implemented from their working group until 2020.
Yesterday, however, the first tax was announced as part of the transport plan - a national fuel tax between 9 and 12 cents per litre to fund the expansion of public transport, bicycle accessibility, and regional and local roads, drawing criticism from the New Zealand Taxpayers Union.
Associate Minister for Transport Julie Anne Genter says New Zealand should aspire to road safety levels of Sweden.