Tamati Coffey Labour List MP

The cost of living is at the front of mind for many of us right now. We feel it at the petrol pump and at the supermarket. We knew we needed to act, and we did so quickly with much more to come.

As government, we have cut fuel tax by 25 cents a litre for three months to ease the pressure on Kiwis through this global energy shock. We're also cutting public transport fares in half for three months, to provide cheaper transport options for Kiwis.

The war in Ukraine has caused prices at the pump to spike, on top of global inflation increases caused by the pandemic. While the current cost pressures aren't forecast to last forever, we know these shocks are causing real pain for families right now. Reducing fuel tax for three months is something we can do immediately to ease the pressure through the crisis. It will provide immediate relief for Kiwis as we continue to target longer term measures to the people who need them most.

This comes ahead of a range of other changes we've made which we'll see from April 1, which will give the majority of Kiwi families, along with pensioners, a significant boost to their incomes. This builds on the work we've done since 2017 to reduce cost pressures on New Zealanders, including changes to the family tax credit system, free school lunches, cheaper doctors' visits and increases to benefits and Superannuation.

Bridges' retirement

Finally, I'd like to acknowledge Simon Bridges for his service to the people of Tauranga. His recent decision to retire will not have been easy to make, but we wish him all the best. It seems likely there will be a by-election in the seat of Tauranga and I want to take the opportunity to wish the people that will challenge for the seat all the best. Labour has a strong record of delivering in Tauranga, on roads, on promoting the treaty partnership and in our schools too. May the best candidate win. My money is on Labour's Jan Tinetti. Watch this space!