What is Timely, Targeted & Temporary about cancelling an increase in fuel excise tax & using $450m set aside for addressing issues created by the USA attacking Iran to partially offset the $1.4B funding deficit you've just created in the NLTF which already can't fund everything you promised #nzpol
August 31, 2026 at 7:11 AM
What is Timely, Targeted & Temporary about cancelling an increase in fuel excise tax & using $450m set aside for addressing issues created by the USA attacking Iran to partially offset the $1.4B funding deficit you've just created in the NLTF which already can't fund everything you promised #nzpol
Considering the yearly cost of this proposal is 0.36% of the cost for National's Roads of National Significance (assuming National's own flawed and under estimated total cost of $18.4B), which are also funded from the NLTF, I think Simple Simeon can stand the fuck down. 🤦♂️
June 10, 2026 at 1:46 AM
Considering the yearly cost of this proposal is 0.36% of the cost for National's Roads of National Significance (assuming National's own flawed and under estimated total cost of $18.4B), which are also funded from the NLTF, I think Simple Simeon can stand the fuck down. 🤦♂️
The Govt’s cuts to walking/cycling are proportionately larger than the ‘halving’ that has been widely reported:
Walking/Cycling in 2021-24 NLTF: 4.1%
Walking/Cycling in 2024-27 NLTF: 1.4%
Walking/Cycling in 2021-24 NLTF: 4.1%
Walking/Cycling in 2024-27 NLTF: 1.4%
September 3, 2024 at 8:47 PM
The Govt’s cuts to walking/cycling are proportionately larger than the ‘halving’ that has been widely reported:
Walking/Cycling in 2021-24 NLTF: 4.1%
Walking/Cycling in 2024-27 NLTF: 1.4%
Walking/Cycling in 2021-24 NLTF: 4.1%
Walking/Cycling in 2024-27 NLTF: 1.4%
This is so exciting to see
Now for Central Government and Opposition to get their shit wired, abandon all RoNS*, and get going with inter regional rail, light rail and more Busways. ALL FULLY FUNDED by the NLTF or partnership with Japan, Hong Kong and or Singapore with Transit Oriented Developments
Now for Central Government and Opposition to get their shit wired, abandon all RoNS*, and get going with inter regional rail, light rail and more Busways. ALL FULLY FUNDED by the NLTF or partnership with Japan, Hong Kong and or Singapore with Transit Oriented Developments
September 12, 2026 at 8:20 PM
This is so exciting to see
Now for Central Government and Opposition to get their shit wired, abandon all RoNS*, and get going with inter regional rail, light rail and more Busways. ALL FULLY FUNDED by the NLTF or partnership with Japan, Hong Kong and or Singapore with Transit Oriented Developments
Now for Central Government and Opposition to get their shit wired, abandon all RoNS*, and get going with inter regional rail, light rail and more Busways. ALL FULLY FUNDED by the NLTF or partnership with Japan, Hong Kong and or Singapore with Transit Oriented Developments
Isn't the NLTF already tapped out for the foreseeable future on the RoNS being way more expensive than they originally budgeted for?
August 14, 2026 at 6:53 AM
Isn't the NLTF already tapped out for the foreseeable future on the RoNS being way more expensive than they originally budgeted for?
Did you mean $1.4 million here, or billion?
cc @connorsharp.bsky.social
cc @connorsharp.bsky.social
September 1, 2026 at 1:55 AM
Did you mean $1.4 million here, or billion?
cc @connorsharp.bsky.social
cc @connorsharp.bsky.social
Also hearing the unchallenged line again in recent stories that the NLTF is for roads
August 16, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Also hearing the unchallenged line again in recent stories that the NLTF is for roads
Excellent
More reasons for Labour and the Greens to get policy out to reset the NLTF in favour of transit, rail and active modes
GET IN LOSERS, WE AER BUILDING MOAR TIM TAMS
More reasons for Labour and the Greens to get policy out to reset the NLTF in favour of transit, rail and active modes
GET IN LOSERS, WE AER BUILDING MOAR TIM TAMS
June 21, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Excellent
More reasons for Labour and the Greens to get policy out to reset the NLTF in favour of transit, rail and active modes
GET IN LOSERS, WE AER BUILDING MOAR TIM TAMS
More reasons for Labour and the Greens to get policy out to reset the NLTF in favour of transit, rail and active modes
GET IN LOSERS, WE AER BUILDING MOAR TIM TAMS
And by the way - there is no nice fat suitcase of cash labelled “RONS” that we could spend on other needs.
There’s a smidge of Crown funding, an overstretched NLTF, and a shiver of finance outfits circling to sign us up to a multi-decade multi-billion payday loan for each over-egged mega-highway.🦈
There’s a smidge of Crown funding, an overstretched NLTF, and a shiver of finance outfits circling to sign us up to a multi-decade multi-billion payday loan for each over-egged mega-highway.🦈
June 17, 2026 at 12:33 AM
And by the way - there is no nice fat suitcase of cash labelled “RONS” that we could spend on other needs.
There’s a smidge of Crown funding, an overstretched NLTF, and a shiver of finance outfits circling to sign us up to a multi-decade multi-billion payday loan for each over-egged mega-highway.🦈
There’s a smidge of Crown funding, an overstretched NLTF, and a shiver of finance outfits circling to sign us up to a multi-decade multi-billion payday loan for each over-egged mega-highway.🦈
Note the transport cost dropout?
That is pretty much ALL 17 RoNS effectively wiped while preserving any rail, transit or active modes still in the separate NLTF and GPS
That is pretty much ALL 17 RoNS effectively wiped while preserving any rail, transit or active modes still in the separate NLTF and GPS
But the real meat is here - how they see infra spending change over the next 30 years. That .5% increase in electricty/gas spending is worth maybe $95b-$112b. The transport drop is maybe $55b-$70b.
February 16, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Note the transport cost dropout?
That is pretty much ALL 17 RoNS effectively wiped while preserving any rail, transit or active modes still in the separate NLTF and GPS
That is pretty much ALL 17 RoNS effectively wiped while preserving any rail, transit or active modes still in the separate NLTF and GPS
RUC’s go into NLTF (along with other forms of income) but I’m not sure how the regional allocation of NLTF is carved up. Seems ad hoc at best.
August 13, 2025 at 8:50 PM
RUC’s go into NLTF (along with other forms of income) but I’m not sure how the regional allocation of NLTF is carved up. Seems ad hoc at best.
Indeed that Willis right very now pass an "Emergency Budget" and through NZTA and the NLTF provide extra funding to reduce our transit fares by 67% through this oil crisis. On the proviso that all cities with buses roll out more 6am-7pm bus lanes IMMEDIATELY with the consultation part bypassed.
Ways the govt could quickly help New Zealanders reduce fuel usage, but probably won’t 🤷, for reasons:
⚠️ Lower speed limits
🚌 Encourage PT (eg bring back half-priced fares)
🚲 Encourage active modes (eg pop-up bike paths)
🛤️ Move freight from road to rail (eg ramp up KiwiRail)
🏡 Support work-from-home
⚠️ Lower speed limits
🚌 Encourage PT (eg bring back half-priced fares)
🚲 Encourage active modes (eg pop-up bike paths)
🛤️ Move freight from road to rail (eg ramp up KiwiRail)
🏡 Support work-from-home
March 12, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Indeed that Willis right very now pass an "Emergency Budget" and through NZTA and the NLTF provide extra funding to reduce our transit fares by 67% through this oil crisis. On the proviso that all cities with buses roll out more 6am-7pm bus lanes IMMEDIATELY with the consultation part bypassed.
The NLTF is a minority of Crown transport funding now.
The other option is to keep throwing billions of dollars of general tax revenue at the problem, rather than fixing health, education or housing.
The other option is to keep throwing billions of dollars of general tax revenue at the problem, rather than fixing health, education or housing.
August 7, 2025 at 12:47 AM
The NLTF is a minority of Crown transport funding now.
The other option is to keep throwing billions of dollars of general tax revenue at the problem, rather than fixing health, education or housing.
The other option is to keep throwing billions of dollars of general tax revenue at the problem, rather than fixing health, education or housing.
This is probably less bad than it sounds, because fuel emission costs are already baked into the ETS at point of import, not at point of consumption. The main price concern is NLTF maintenance cost incidence, ie the balance between ordinary drivers and heavy traffic/freight
August 7, 2025 at 12:26 AM
This is probably less bad than it sounds, because fuel emission costs are already baked into the ETS at point of import, not at point of consumption. The main price concern is NLTF maintenance cost incidence, ie the balance between ordinary drivers and heavy traffic/freight
If we take into account full cost of NLTF, surely RUC charges will have to increase. What other option is there?
August 7, 2025 at 12:14 AM
If we take into account full cost of NLTF, surely RUC charges will have to increase. What other option is there?
Except the govt wants to sign a PPP for Warkworth to Te Hana. Likely that will cost $10-12billion and consume the vast amount of discretionary spending in the NLTF
For a bad project.
For a bad project.
June 1, 2026 at 5:38 AM
Except the govt wants to sign a PPP for Warkworth to Te Hana. Likely that will cost $10-12billion and consume the vast amount of discretionary spending in the NLTF
For a bad project.
For a bad project.
There are a bunch of new bus routes AT is bringing online to service three of the four South Auckland industrial complexes
I be bringing them online now if not already, and getting those fares to be just $1 paid for by NZTA and the NLTF via the EFAR
I be bringing them online now if not already, and getting those fares to be just $1 paid for by NZTA and the NLTF via the EFAR
Auckland local politicians and a local advocate says the Government’s $50 weekly fuel payment falls short for families already struggling with rising costs.
Fuel support welcomed, but falls short for struggling South Auckland families
Auckland local politicians and a local advocate says the Government’s $50 weekly fuel payment falls short for families already struggling with rising costs.
www.teaonews.co.nz
March 29, 2026 at 8:39 PM
There are a bunch of new bus routes AT is bringing online to service three of the four South Auckland industrial complexes
I be bringing them online now if not already, and getting those fares to be just $1 paid for by NZTA and the NLTF via the EFAR
I be bringing them online now if not already, and getting those fares to be just $1 paid for by NZTA and the NLTF via the EFAR
Coughlan would be quite a good business reporter, 'cause he loves delving into the numbers. But because he's the Political Editor for the NZ Herald, he has to turn everything into absurd left-wing beat-ups.
Under this logic, no party can announce any transport policy ever again.
Under this logic, no party can announce any transport policy ever again.
June 11, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Coughlan would be quite a good business reporter, 'cause he loves delving into the numbers. But because he's the Political Editor for the NZ Herald, he has to turn everything into absurd left-wing beat-ups.
Under this logic, no party can announce any transport policy ever again.
Under this logic, no party can announce any transport policy ever again.
Well given the NLTF is broke, Bishop has walked back all but two RoNS, taken the AWHC off NZTA, and NZTA are busy doing Option B for East West Link, you go figure it out
BUT this would be the time for BIG RAIL AND BIG BUS AND BIG Cycling given their positive Benefit Cost Ratios
BUT this would be the time for BIG RAIL AND BIG BUS AND BIG Cycling given their positive Benefit Cost Ratios
Big transport projects are often announced in election campaigns but there is a long history of the projects struggling to actually be constructed.
Could this be the election of no big ticket transport projects?
Big transport projects are often announced in election campaigns but there is a long history of the projects struggling to actually be constructed.
dlvr.it
September 3, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Well given the NLTF is broke, Bishop has walked back all but two RoNS, taken the AWHC off NZTA, and NZTA are busy doing Option B for East West Link, you go figure it out
BUT this would be the time for BIG RAIL AND BIG BUS AND BIG Cycling given their positive Benefit Cost Ratios
BUT this would be the time for BIG RAIL AND BIG BUS AND BIG Cycling given their positive Benefit Cost Ratios
Move e scooters off paths and into cycle lanes
Problem: Thanks to Simeon Brown, the current Government Policy Statement and later the NLTF slashed funding for Councils and NZTA to roll out more cycle lanes in urban and even rural areas for 4 lane highways instead
www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-t...
Problem: Thanks to Simeon Brown, the current Government Policy Statement and later the NLTF slashed funding for Councils and NZTA to roll out more cycle lanes in urban and even rural areas for 4 lane highways instead
www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-t...
'Outdated and dangerous': Govt wants to move e-scooters into cycle lanes as injury costs soar
Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd says new e-scooter rules could take effect by mid-2026.
www.nzherald.co.nz
November 27, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Move e scooters off paths and into cycle lanes
Problem: Thanks to Simeon Brown, the current Government Policy Statement and later the NLTF slashed funding for Councils and NZTA to roll out more cycle lanes in urban and even rural areas for 4 lane highways instead
www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-t...
Problem: Thanks to Simeon Brown, the current Government Policy Statement and later the NLTF slashed funding for Councils and NZTA to roll out more cycle lanes in urban and even rural areas for 4 lane highways instead
www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-t...
Yeah. Marginal difference in road damage from extra EV/hybrid weight is nothing. But the marginal difference in NLTF contribution from fuel excise (pre-RUC) was not, and even the fact that a modern ICE SUV/ute is much more fuel-efficient than equivalent older models means revenue erosion
August 8, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Yeah. Marginal difference in road damage from extra EV/hybrid weight is nothing. But the marginal difference in NLTF contribution from fuel excise (pre-RUC) was not, and even the fact that a modern ICE SUV/ute is much more fuel-efficient than equivalent older models means revenue erosion
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLTf...
They are doing ALL of this to try to pay for the soon expiring BILLIONAIRE tax-breaks! ALL of it to GIVE 4Trillion in tax breaks to the rich!
They are doing ALL of this to try to pay for the soon expiring BILLIONAIRE tax-breaks! ALL of it to GIVE 4Trillion in tax breaks to the rich!
Federal Workers REJECT and SUE Elon Musk DOGE
YouTube video by Chris Norlund
www.youtube.com
February 4, 2025 at 8:37 PM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLTf...
They are doing ALL of this to try to pay for the soon expiring BILLIONAIRE tax-breaks! ALL of it to GIVE 4Trillion in tax breaks to the rich!
They are doing ALL of this to try to pay for the soon expiring BILLIONAIRE tax-breaks! ALL of it to GIVE 4Trillion in tax breaks to the rich!
did uh, find this clip apparently from the 70s on youtube where you can kind of hear the music present: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlTF...
Shopping at a Grocery Store in 1972
Footage of two older gentleman shopping at a Green Hill grocery store in St. Joseph, Missouri.Shots around the market, a Pepsi vending machine, various magaz...
www.youtube.com
April 3, 2024 at 2:53 AM
did uh, find this clip apparently from the 70s on youtube where you can kind of hear the music present: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlTF...
Going back to the Transport Policy Statement item, here's a graph from @greaterauckland.bsky.social showing the mismatch between Auckland's priorities and central govt funding, from this post:
www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2024/05/21/h...
www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2024/05/21/h...
April 27, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Going back to the Transport Policy Statement item, here's a graph from @greaterauckland.bsky.social showing the mismatch between Auckland's priorities and central govt funding, from this post:
www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2024/05/21/h...
www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2024/05/21/h...
A) local roading in New Zealand is paid for by council, with some larger projects paid for with a combination of rates (local taxes), with some central government funding via the NLTF
B) the NLTF pays for the state (in this case national) highway network
B) the NLTF pays for the state (in this case national) highway network
October 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
A) local roading in New Zealand is paid for by council, with some larger projects paid for with a combination of rates (local taxes), with some central government funding via the NLTF
B) the NLTF pays for the state (in this case national) highway network
B) the NLTF pays for the state (in this case national) highway network