Boaties soon off the hook: ACT ends unfair petrol tax

ACT MP and keen boatie Cameron Luxton is celebrating a long-overdue win for fairness with the end of petrol excise taxes for boat users and other off-road fuel users.

“Fuel tax is supposed to fund roads. So why have boat owners been forced to pay it when their vehicles never touch a road,” says Luxton. 



“It’s always been unfair, which is why ACT has been fighting since 2021 to scrap this boatie tax. Now, it’s finally happening.

“Following the 2023 election, ACT secured a coalition commitment to replace petrol excise with road user charges (RUCs) across the board with progress confirmed this week.

“This means you’ll no longer be taxed at the pump when filling up your boat, lawnmower, quad bike, or chainsaw.

“For boaties, that’s around 70 cents a litre in excise saved, plus another 10 cents in GST that gets put on top. That’s $120 off a 150-litre tank. It’s a massive win for fairness and common sense.

“The shift to RUCs won’t happen overnight – it’s part of a broader transition and will involve public consultation – but the Government’s direction is clear, and ACT will make sure this promise is kept.

“The day I get to go fishing without paying road tax will be a good one – and it's thanks to Kiwis who've supported ACT.”