8. Question No. 8—TransportHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 8—Transport8. Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green) to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his comment that when it comes to decarbonising transport the longer that action is delayed the more difficult it gets"?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): Yes that's why as Minister I prioritised a range of policies that are helping to drive down the transport sector's emissions including the Clean Car Discount and Clean Car Standard rolling out EV chargers a massive investment to rebuild a resilient and reliable rail network and supporting the uptake of public transport walking and cycling through projects and programmes like Transport Choices the Eastern Busway Greater Christchurch Public Transport Futures and Te Ara Tupua the visionary shared path around the Wellington Harbour.Hon Julie Anne Genter: Can he confirm that recent Government decisions make it much harder to meet its 2025 transport emissions targets and what new actions if any will the Government take to reach that target?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The member in her question is probably referring primarily to the Government's recent reprioritisation decision around the sustainable biofuels mandate a decision which I do note that the member supported. As she pointed out at that time we do now need to do the work to make sure that we have the suite of other transport policies to make up for that emissions shortfall. But I can confirm that the Government remains resolutely committed to the carbon budgets that we committed to through the emissions reduction plan and we are continuing to work on policies across improvements to the vehicle fleet—and I've just answered a question around our EV charging strategy—and we'll do further work in terms of how we can support more Kiwis to have real transport choices so they're better able to use low-carbon options like public transport and safe walking and cycling.Hon Julie Anne Genter: So is the Government on track to meet its 2025 transport emissions target and if not what will his Government do to reach the target?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Well as I covered in my previous question the major change that we've had in recent months has been the decision around the sustainable biofuels mandate. That does leave an additional emissions abatement that we have to reach and that's why we are developing policies at the moment to make sure that we do reach that budget.Hon Julie Anne Genter: Is the ongoing fuel and excise duty (FED) and road-user charges (RUC) discount during a climate emergency short-sighted considering it increases carbon emissions by 35000 to 83000 tonnes at a cost of at least $1.3 billion to date; if not why not?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The Government's policy of FED and RUC reductions have been an important part of our response to the cost of living pressures that New Zealanders have been experiencing. It means that the average New Zealander filling up their car saves $17 per tank but it's also coupled with the half-price public transport policy which will save an average public transport user who's using a bus two times a day around about $25 per week. Set in the context of our broader transport emission reductions policies the additional emissions as a result of that policy are very small indeed and I'm confident that with further work we will reach those targets that we've set.Hon Julie Anne Genter: Does he think it's fair that the hugely expensive discounts for FED and RUC give three times the support to the highest income earners as to the lowest income earners?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: What I know is that for all Kiwis including low-income earners the reductions that we have brought in place through the reductions to FED and RUC and half-price public transport are making a real difference in terms of those household budgets. We know that it is challenging for many New Zealanders as they deal with the cost of living and this is one of the more practical and quick stand-up things that we have been able to do to support those people.Hon Julie Anne Genter: Is he aware that the commuter trains from Palmerston North and the Wairarapa are unlikely to pass safety tests when they are renewed for service in 2027 and if so will he commit to meeting the regional councils and Waka Kotahi halfway with funding for hybrid electric trains to replace them?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The Government remains in very positive dialogue with Greater Wellington Regional Council about the proposals that they have presented to the Government in terms of the replacement of rolling stock and increase in services along those lines. I do note that the proposals that they have put to the Government ask the Government to go much more than halfway in terms of the funding requirement but it is a positive discussion that we are having with them. Chlöe Swarbrick: Has the Minister had any advice on the impacts the proposed Auckland Council budget cuts that would permanently slash 1000-plus buses a day in our largest city in which transport is the largest emissions profile?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I continue to engage with my officials about the decisions that Auckland Council and other local authorities are making about the future of public transport services. And what I can confirm is that our Government will continue to provide the support that we need to give Kiwis those real transport choices. That's why that half-price public transport until the middle of this year is important. That's why the $50 million in the Budget last year to bring up bus driver pay and conditions is important so that we can continue to roll out those services. That's why the $800 million that we're investing in the Eastern Busway in Auckland is important. That's why the $70 million that we've committed to Christchurch PT Futures is important and that's why the Transport Choices programme that's going to roll out 100 kilometres of bus lanes all around the country is important. Our Government's backing public transport and we'll work with local authorities to deliver better services."