Hi John,  

Today, we announced that, with the war in Ukraine causing global petrol prices to spike, we’re cutting fuel tax for three months to ease the pressure on Kiwi families.

On the back of this announcement, I wanted to send you a quick email to let you know what these changes mean for you and your family. You can find the full details of today’s announcement here, but if you’re short on time, here’s what you need to know:

• We’ve cut petrol excise tax and road user charges by 25 cents a litre for three months, to support Kiwis through the current global fuel crisis.This will reduce the cost of filling up a 40 litre tank of petrol by more than $11, and for a 60 litre tank, by more than $17.
  
  
• We’re also cutting public transport fares in half for the next three months. This will make it cheaper for people who catch a bus or a train to get around, and will provide some families with an alternative to filling up the tank.
  
  
• These measures are part of a wider package to reduce cost of living pressures for Kiwis. Our next steps include the already-announced 1 April boost for families and pensioners, the minimum wage increase to $21.20 an hour, and the restart of the Winter Energy Payment, which begins again from May. 

Our improvements to Working for Families alone will see around 60% of all families – more than 300,000 households – better off by an average of $20 per week. From 1 April, people on Superannuation will see their incomes lift by $52 a fortnight for a single person and $80 for a couple.

Today’s announcement builds on the work we’ve already done to ease the pressure on Kiwis. We’ve been working since the day we came into Government to reduce cost pressures on New Zealanders, from extending family tax credits to introducing free lunches in schools, and these policies have made a difference. 

Of course, there’s no easy fix for issues like the rising cost of living, and things may feel tough for families right now. But while we can’t control global events, we can control how we support New Zealanders. Today’s announcements are just one way we’re making sure we do that. 

As we continue to lead a strong COVID recovery, we’ll keep working hard to ensure all Kiwis can get ahead. 

Thanks,
Jacinda

P.S. While there’s no silver bullet, and we expect further volatility around fuel prices, I believe every little bit helps. Our plan includes a range of actions that together, will make things easier for Kiwis. You can read more here.