By the Explore Auckland news desk · Published Thursday 12 November 2026
Auckland Council and Auckland Transport want feedback on three possible schemes to charge drivers on some of the busiest roads at peak times. Feedback is open until Friday 11 December 2026; nothing has been decided.
- What
- Feedback on three proposed time of use charging options (a proposal, not a decision)
- When charged
- Proposed: weekdays, entering the charged area 7am to 10am or leaving it 3pm to 6pm (final times not set)
- Cost
- Modelled charges range from $2 to $7, with the options assuming a top charge around the middle of that range
- Deadline
- Friday 11 December 2026
- What to do
- Give feedback on AK Have Your Say, or fill in a paper form
The council puts the cost of congestion to Auckland at around $2.6 billion a year, with the average commuter losing about 66 hours annually in traffic. Time of use charging is meant to persuade a small share of peak-hour drivers to travel at another time, carpool or take public transport, so the roads flow better for those who still drive.
Councillor Andy Baker, who chairs the council’s Transport and Infrastructure Delivery Committee, said in the council’s release, “If we incentivise Aucklanders to make small changes to their travel patterns, we can unlock sizeable economic, social and liveability gains for everyone.”
The three options
All three would charge on weekdays when crossing into the charged area in the morning rush or leaving it in the afternoon rush. The figures below come from the council’s modelling; the time savings assume a low to medium charge for Option A and a medium charge for Options B and C.
- Option A, city centre cordon: the smallest and simplest scheme. About 3.5% of morning peak trips would pay. Overall congestion across the isthmus and lower North Shore would drop by about 4%, and drivers who pay would save around 2.5 minutes. Motorway trips and trips inside the cordon would not be charged.
- Option B, city fringe: a larger cordon taking in commercial areas and some neighbourhoods next to the city centre. About 5.5% of morning peak trips would pay, congestion would fall by about 6%, and paying drivers would save around 4 minutes. Motorways would again be free.
- Option C, city centre and motorways: the city centre cordon plus the most congested core motorway sections between the Harbour Bridge, Point Chevalier and Mount Wellington. About 8.5% of morning peak trips would pay, but morning peak congestion would fall by about 28%. Paying drivers would save about 7 minutes on average and up to 10 minutes on longer motorway trips. Driving from the motorway into the city centre would attract only one charge, the western ring route would stay free, and some congested motorway sections might also be charged outside the peaks.
The council estimates each option would lift morning public transport use, by around 3% for Option A up to around 6% for Option C. Maps for each option are on the consultation page.
Drop-in sessions and a webinar
- Saturday 14 November, 8am to noon: Parnell Farmers’ Market, Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Road
- Thursday 19 November, 7pm to 8pm: online information webinar (register on the consultation page)
- Friday 20 November, 4pm to 9pm: Friday Night Vibes Market, The Trust Arena, Henderson
- Sunday 22 November, 8.30am to noon: Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market, Grey Lynn Community Centre
- Sunday 29 November, 7am to noon: Takapuna Farmers’ Market, Waiwharariki Anzac Square
- Saturday 5 December: Britomart Market, Takutai Square
A long road before any charge
The feedback goes to the council’s Transport and Infrastructure Delivery Committee in March 2027, when councillors will pick a preferred option and consider a scheme initiation partnership with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).
A scheme board would then draw up detailed plans and run formal consultation, which the council expects late in 2027. A final proposal would go to the Minister of Transport for approval in mid-2028, which the council says would see charging in place in 2030 or 2031.
To have your say, read the options and fill in the form on AK Have Your Say by Friday 11 December. Paper forms can be handed in at a library or posted free to Auckland Council.
- OurAuckland (Auckland Council): Traffic congestion costs $2.6 billion a year – it's time to talk options, released 11 November 2026
- AK Have Your Say: Time of Use Charging in Tāmaki Makaurau (options, events and timeline), released 11 November 2026
Explore Auckland news desk: news@exploreauckland.nz. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we’ll correct it.
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