Family road trips get more expensive

Daylight saving has begun which reminds us summer is just around the corner.

School holidays are under way and some families take the opportunity to travel and catch up with family and friends.

The family road trip these holidays comes with a surprise at the fuel pump. Petrol prices are already soaring without another 4 cents a litre tax slapped on this week. This is despite Labour pledging no new taxes during the election campaign.

We are fortunate in Horowhenua to have competitive fuel pricing thanks to Gull and Allied but Ka¯ piti doesn’t¯have the same options. Often Otaki is 20 cents per litre more expensive than Levin.

It is irresponsible of the Labour, NZ First and Green Government to increase fuel taxes when crude oil prices are at a four-year high.

But despite the already exorbitant petrol prices that have increased by 38 cents since the election, this Government is planning for two more increases in 2019-20. Motorists will realise there’s no respite and it now costs an extra $20 on average each time they fill up.

Boat owners are also crying foul because it doesn’t appear fair when recreational boaties fuel is used for fishing or water skiing — none of which is on the road.

Local motorists may be happier to pay if they knew the Horowhenua Expressway was going to be built in the next few years. As NZTA re-evaluate this road it’s highly likely we get a decision on the preferred route in November (which is well overdue for residents left in limbo).

My fear is that construction money has already disappeared to Auckland for the tram to the airport and other public transport options. It feels like motorists outside Auckland are paying more and getting less — $5 billion has been raided from the state highway budget so it’s becoming clear to me it will take a change in government to see diggers beginning on the Horowhenua Expressway.

Ka¯ piti and Horowhenua families and businesses are being squeezed as costs rise but incomes aren’t keeping up.

Data from Statistics NZ shows the cost of living rose faster than incomes over the last three months.

This Government is claiming to be ‘kind and compassionate’ but more taxes are ultimately hurting everyone.

Thank goodness National built the Ka¯ piti expressway and got the Otaki section and Transmission Gully started. It’s a shame the last section of the Road of National Significance looks doomed under this coalition Government.