Tauranga City Council rejects $300,000 congestion charging study

What happened

Tauranga City Council's City Future Committee rejected the funding request on Tuesday, voting 6-4 against including the investigation in the 2027-37 Long-Term Plan. Mayor Mahe Drysdale supported the study, arguing the $300,000 investment could save $300 million in future transport projects including Connecting Mount Maunganui and Cameron Road stage two. A recent law change — the Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill, taking effect next month — allows councils to investigate charging road users during peak traffic hours to reduce congestion. Council staff had recommended the three-year investigation with regional and national partners. However, several councillors cited public opposition: Glen Crowther noted 81% of 1,100 submissions in 2024 opposed time-of-use charging. Rick Curach argued congestion charging would worsen hardship in a country where household incomes have fallen. Hautapu Baker called it a "travel tax in disguise" during an election campaign focused on no new taxes. Crowther added that Auckland, with five times the population, received 33 times more public transport investment, suggesting public transport should improve before congestion charging was considered.

Key facts

• Tauranga City Council voted 6-4 against the funding on Tuesday
• $300,000 requested for three-year investigation
• 81% of 1,100 submissions in 2024 opposed congestion charging
• Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill takes effect next month
• Auckland expected to be first city to progress a scheme under new legislation

Primary source: Tauranga City Council's 2027-37 Long-Term Plan vote

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