9. Question No. 9—TransportSIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 9—Transport9. SIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga) to the Minister of Transport: Does he have confidence that the Government is not increasing the cost of vehicles for New Zealanders; if so why?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): Yes I do. The Government is committed to ensuring the cost of vehicles are manageable and that fast and reliable public transport alternatives are available particularly for New Zealanders on the lowest incomes. That's why for example we've reduced fuel excise duty and will be reducing road-user charges for the next three months. We've halved public transport fares for the same period. We're offering rebates for new and used low-emissions vehicles and we've started work to reduce the cost of getting a driver's licence. On this side of the House we're supporting Kiwis not only to manage the cost of vehicles but we're also committed to expanding access to low emissions vehicles and public transport options that will help New Zealand reach our decarbonisation goals.Simeon Brown: Why are the fees under the Land Transport (Clean Vehicles) Amendment Act coming into force this Friday when it will significantly increase the cost of many vehicles by thousands of dollars for Kiwis who are already struggling under a cost of living crisis?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: If the member is referring to the fees that come into effect as a result of the clean car standard it's important for members of the House to be aware that those fees do not in fact come into effect until 2023. If he's referring to the fees that come into effect as a result of the clean car discount then it's important for people to be aware that balancing out those fees there are a range of significant discounts on vehicles and that in fact recent modelling shows that more than half of the vehicles—both new and used—coming into the country will either attract no fee or will attract a discount. What importers of vehicles also tell me is that the clean car scheme is supporting them to get increased stock of clean and more efficient vehicles into the New Zealand market which is good for Kiwi consumers in terms of giving them more efficient vehicles.Simeon Brown: Does he agree with the Prime Minister who stated of ute buyers that A large number of those buyers of those vehicles are not using them for the legitimate use" and if so is this why the Government is increasing the cost of utes?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I always agree with the Prime Minister. The member's characterisation of why the Government is pursuing its clean car package policy is not correct and I do not agree with it.Simeon Brown: Does he agree with the Motor Industry Association chief executive who said "plug-in hybrid utes might become more widely available by 2025 and full battery electric utes after that." and if so why is he penalising farmers and tradies with a ute tax when they currently have no electric alternative?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I agree with the Motor Industry Association along with the vehicle importers association along with the Automobile Association (AA)—all of whom support the Government's clean car discount scheme. I'm also very pleased to confirm to the member and the House that the first vehicle importer into New Zealand to offer an electric ute—LDV—has started taking orders on those vehicles in recent weeks and the industry assures me that they continue to work very hard to improve the supply coming into New Zealand over the next 12 to 24 months.Simeon Brown: So how many fully electric utes will be available in New Zealand this Friday?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: As I've just explained to the member LDV the first importer who has confirmed they will be bringing electric utes into New Zealand is starting to take orders on them which are expected to come in later on in the year. But what the member also needs to know is that the vast majority of utes which are bought and sold in the New Zealand market place are bought and sold on the second-hand market which is unaffected by the clean car discount scheme."