NZ government extends cuts to fuel excise, public transport ahead of new inflation numbers

NZ government extends cuts to fuel excise, public transport ahead of new inflation numbers
Petrol prices above $3 a litre are political poison, so the government is extending excise cuts (Image: Getty)
Pattrick Smellie
The government launched a pre-emptive strike ahead of the latest bad news on inflation, due Monday, announcing that half-price public transport fares and cuts to fuel excises and road user charges will be extended to Jan 31 next year.Finance minister Grant Robertson held a surprise press conference Sunday afternoon, saying the moves were expected to reduce the annual inflation rate by about half a percentage point.Annual inflation was running at 6.9% in the year to March 31 and is forecast by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to rise to 7% for th...

More Economy

RBNZ seen cutting OCR by 25 bps, flagging easing bias
Economy

RBNZ seen cutting OCR by 25 bps, flagging easing bias

RBNZ is expected to cut its OCR rate to 3% on Wednesday.

Gas insider explains energy pain and solutions
Economy

Gas insider explains energy pain and solutions

Find more energy or face ongoing deindustrialisation, says GIC.

Liquidators looking for buyer for Wellington events company
Economy

Liquidators looking for buyer for Wellington events company

Hiremaster said it is one of Wellington's largest event equipment rental companies.

Gregor Thompson 15 Aug 2025
Crowdfunders told to expect loss as Peoples Coffee sold
Retail

Crowdfunders told to expect loss as Peoples Coffee sold

"I wanted the business to be owned by the people."

Gregor Thompson 14 Aug 2025