According to their website, https://www.opportunity.org.nz/free_public_transport

For starters, moving to universal free fares is a 10% funding increase, not a 100% one. We already fund around 90% of the cost of public transport from taxes and rates; fares only cover about 10% of operating costs (or roughly $300 million a year on a $3–$4 billion system). Fully free public transport is about getting the most out of the money we’ve already invested into the network.

Free public transport is what Qiulae Wong (The Opportunity Party leader) said in the interview below.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=1b9PP7FZL1E

I guess it makes sense since the public already subsidises roughly 90% of the entire network?

Edit: Small correction. TOP says free public transport. What Labour announced is $20 cap. Not quite the same.

Thanks for sharing. I wasn’t aware. Also, TIL Hbomberguy.

The fact that people view housing as an investment opportunity is a policy failure; there are tax incentives among other things. The system only stays afloat if there’s a constant influx of new people joining, and we all know there’s a name for it - Ponzi.

What we need is a mandatory public register for lobbyists.

https://www.transparency.org.nz/blog/industry-code-of-conduct-for-lobbying

However, lobbying in Aotearoa New Zealand is unrestrained and opaque, with neither professional standards nor a public register of lobbyists and the clients they represent.

I think Chlöe is right. Unfortunately not surprising.

Unfortunately, things will get worse before they get better. Hang tight, support each other, and be kind.