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Auckland cities oppose new fuel tax
24 May 2007
Media Release
Christchurch, Wellington for new fuel tax, Auckland cities oppose
People in Wellington and Christchurch cities support paying a new 10 cent per litre regional fuel tax, while those in the main cities in Auckland oppose.
According to the first poll breaking down main city response to the new fuel tax option announced in the Budget, the country as a whole votes against the concept by 48% to 40%, with 11% neither for nor against (1% don't know).
However, respondents to a ShapeNZ poll who live within Wellington City boundaries are 54% for the new tax, 22% against and 14% neither for nor against.
In Christchurch City, there is 44% support, 35% oppose and 15% are neutral and 1% don't know.
Dunedin splits almost evenly on the tax: 39% are for it, 38% against, 13% are neutral and 2% don't know.
In Auckland the strongest opposition comes within Waitakere City (55% oppose, 23% for), followed by North Shore City (51% against, 29% for), Auckland City (51% against, 36% for) and Manukau City (46% against, 16% for).
The Government announced the new tax as an option for regions to attract earlier funding for their transport projects. It says, in the Auckland region, it could raise $120 million a year and support debt of about $1.5 billion over 10 years. A maximum of 5c per litre will go to roading projects.
The independent ShapeNZ poll is of 938 respondents nationwide, between 4pm 17 May and 7.30am 21 May, 2007. Results are weighted according to age, gender, personal income and party vote in 2005. The national result is accurate to within + or 2%.
The individual results for opinion within local authorities' boundaries are less reliable because of smaller respondent numbers, which is also why results have not yet been published for other local authority areas. A more complete report is available at www.nzbcsd.org.nz. The survey is continuing at www.shapenz.org.nz
ShapeNZ is run by the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development to give the public input into shaping policy advice.
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