Auckland Regional Council has recently proposed new regulations which would see motorists having to pay a regional fuel tax. Commencing in the July of 2009, a 1 cent tax would be charged on every litre of petrol sold. This figure is set to increase to a further 5 cents within the following three years.

The new scheme could raise a possible $600 million annually, to be used towards improvement of the public transport system. The new scheme is yet to be approved by the New Zealand Government ministers.