20 Feb 2024

Transport Minister Simeon Brown on fuel tax feud, future funding

From Nine To Noon, 9:08 am on 20 February 2024
Simeon Brown in Select Committee

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

It's been dubbed "Brown v Brown", as the mayor of Auckland and the Transport Minister grapple for control over the supercity's transport direction.

It's been a busy first 100 days for Minister Simeon Brown - who's also Minister of Local Government, and Minister for Auckland - and who has scrapped Auckland's light rail project, and then its Regional Fuel Tax. In response, Mayor Wayne Brown paused work on remaining projects funded by the Regional Fuel Tax, saying it's not ratepayers' bill to pick up. Then the minister threatened to legislate.

Last week Mayor Wayne Brown told us he's hopeful closer collaboration with central Government is on the cards with plans for an integrated transport plan.

Simeon Brown speaks with Kathryn Ryan the future of transport for Auckland and the rest of the country.