ACT's Transport Policy
ACT strongly supports road investment funded by road user charges, opposes subsidised public transport, supports highway expansions and new motorways, and argues the market should determine transport choices without government favouring one mode over another.
In simple terms
Build more roads funded by the people who use them, reduce public transport subsidies, and let people choose how they want to travel without government interference.
Impact to New Zealanders
Road construction booms in profitable urban corridors; rural and provincial towns see minimal investment despite user-pays funding model.
Public transport ridership drops as services shrink, forcing car-dependent workers to spend more on fuel while congestion worsens on new roads.
Low-income households unable to afford car ownership become geographically trapped; wealthy areas enjoy better mobility, widening regional economic inequality permanently.
Green Party's Transport Policy
The Green Party supports free public transport, rapid decarbonisation of the vehicle fleet, investing in cycling and walking infrastructure, cancelling new road projects in favour of public transport, and transitioning freight to rail.
In simple terms
Make all public transport free, build better cycling and walking paths, stop building new roads, and move freight from trucks to trains.
Impact to New Zealanders
Government spending on free transport increases taxes or reduces funding for hospitals, schools; commuters save money immediately.
Rural areas struggle with poor public transport while cities thrive; farmers and regional businesses face higher freight costs via trains.
House prices near transport hubs skyrocket as demand surges; lower-income earners priced out despite 'free' travel.
Labour's Transport Policy
Labour funded Auckland light rail investigations, invested significantly in public transport including half-price fares, commenced electrification of the Wellington rail network, and introduced the New Zealand Upgrade Programme for roads and rail. They also supported mode shift away from cars.
In simple terms
Invest in light rail and public transport, keep public transport affordable, upgrade rail, and make it easier for people to get around without a car.
Impact to New Zealanders
Government borrows heavily for construction; interest payments reduce funding for schools and hospitals elsewhere.
Property prices near new light rail stations surge, pricing out renters; landlords gain, young first-home buyers lose affordability.
Rural and provincial towns lose economic activity as people move to well-connected cities; regional inequality widens significantly.
National's Transport Policy
National has reinstated road building as a government priority, reviving the Roads of National Significance programme. They have reduced public transport subsidies, axed the Auckland light rail project, and increased the fuel excise duty. They support road user charges for electric vehicles.
In simple terms
Build more roads as a national priority, focus transport spending on roads rather than light rail, and make electric vehicle owners contribute to road funding.
Impact to New Zealanders
Road construction creates short-term jobs, but budgets diverted from rail maintenance mean existing trains become less reliable for commuters.
More roads attract more driving; congestion returns as induced demand fills new capacity, while EV owners pay extra fees despite lower emissions than petrol cars.
City centers remain car-dependent, property values concentrate in drivable suburbs, and lower-income workers without cars face reduced job access and housing affordability.
NZ First's Transport Policy
NZ First supports regional roading investment, rail freight (particularly for Northland), maintaining regional airports, and ensuring rural communities have adequate transport links. They oppose cuts to regional transport infrastructure and support the free public transport for SuperGold card holders.
In simple terms
Invest in roads and rail for the regions, keep airports in regional areas, and maintain free public transport for superannuitants.
Impact to New Zealanders
Government redirects urban transport funding to regions, forcing Auckland and Wellington councils to raise local rates on homeowners to maintain city bus networks.
Free superannuitant fares reduce ticket revenue, forcing regional councils to cut off-peak bus routes that younger workers and students depend on to reach jobs.
Young people migrate to better-serviced cities for work, shrinking regional workforces and tax bases, making regional transport even harder to fund sustainably.
Te Pāti Māori's Transport Policy
Te Pāti Māori supports free public transport, investing in active transport in urban Māori communities, ensuring rural Māori communities have adequate transport access, and a Treaty-based approach to roading projects that affect Māori land.
In simple terms
Make public transport free, build cycling and walking paths in Māori communities, improve transport in rural areas, and consult Māori on roading projects through their land.
Impact to New Zealanders
Free public transport increases demand sharply, requiring higher taxes or budget cuts elsewhere—schools and hospitals compete for same funding.
Cycling paths in Māori areas attract younger residents and small businesses, but existing car-dependent communities face higher living costs if services consolidate.
Permanent consultation requirements on roading slow infrastructure projects, benefiting Māori land rights but potentially delaying rural economic development and emergency services.