Thanks to the conflict in the Middle East, fuel prices are now hitting $3 a litre – up to $180 to fill up the average family car. 47 percent of your total bill goes directly to the Government. That means they have control over how much you pay at the pump.

This regressive tax disproportionately hurts poor and rural households. Kiwis who are already struggling under a cost-of-living crisis will once again be hit even harder, as increasing fuel prices raise the cost of essential travel and push up the prices of food in our supermarkets.

In 2022, Jacinda Ardern’s Government cut fuel excise by 25 cents per litre to ease the cost-of-living crisis caused by soaring oil prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It was the right thing to do then. It’s the right thing to do now.

A similar three-month reduction today would cost roughly $350 million in foregone revenue to the National Land Transport Fund. And with billions of dollars being funnelled through schemes like the Regional Infrastructure Fund the Government has plenty of room to fund temporary relief for motorists.

This Government doesn’t seem to understand quite how difficult things are for Kiwis right now, so it’s about time we let them know.

Sign the petition now and tell the Government to cut fuel taxes so hardworking Kiwis can keep more of their own money.