Labour says if elected, it wants to bring in more competition at the petrol pump, with plans to open up the fuel market so independent petrol stations get \u201cfairer access\u201d to fuel supplies and \u201cstronger protection against restrictive contracts\u201d.<\/p>\n
Making the announcement on Monday, Labour leader Chris Hipkins says: \u201cThis election is about the cost of living. For most Kiwis, a car is a necessity, it\u2019s how we get to work, drop the kids at school, and get on with life.\u201d<\/p>\n
If elected into government, Labour says it will:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Give drivers the right to repair by requiring carmakers to give independent mechanics \u201cfair access\u201d to the manuals, software, tools and information needed to fix modern carsPutting fuel prices under the microscope by requiring the Commerce Commission to report weekly on fuel prices and whether falling costs are being passed onto consumersApply Labour\u2019s price gouging law proposal to wholesale and retail fuel, allowing \u201cunfair\u201d pricing to be investigated and overcharges recoveredOpen up the fuel market by giving independent petrol stations \u201cfairer access\u201d to fuel supplies and \u201cstronger protection against restrictive contracts\u201dMake room for more competition by requiring the NZ Transport Agency to consider making surplus land available for independent unmanned petrol stations and Electric Vehicle chargers<\/p>\n
Labour commerce and consumer affairs spokesperson Arena Williams says, \u201ca right to repair means the mechanic down the road gets a fair shot at your business. It backs local workshops, supports skilled jobs and apprenticeships, and gives drivers a real choice\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently independent workshops have to turn away work because they can’t access the information they need to make repairs – Labour will fix this. Australia already did this in 2022 and has led to independent mechanics there able to repair cars 25% cheaper on average than dealerships.\u201d<\/p>\n
And when it comes to wanting to bring more competition at the pump, Williams says: \u201cThe Commerce Commission found that fuel prices rise faster than they fall, costing Kiwi drivers around $15 million a year. When we were in government, Labour forced the big fuel companies to publish their wholesale prices and opened the market up to independent stations.\u201d<\/p>\n