Kerre Woodham: Would you rather pay a toll or wait for a new road?

What would you rather? Would you rather toll roads and shiny new roads, or would you rather waiting for NZTA to put you on the list of priorities and potholes up your ying yang?

New Zealand has just three toll roads right now throughout the country, and two of them are in Tauranga. There are also two more planned on Bay of Plenty roads – not surprisingly, residents are up in arms. Yes, there are workarounds for them under National Land Transport legislation. If you're going to bung a toll on a road, then a viable toll-free route must be provided, though these free detours typically add 10–20 minutes to your travel time. So you can pay and take 10–20 minutes off your journey, or don't pay and just be prepared to take a bit longer to get where you're going.

Ryan Bridge: Would you pay $9 to cross the harbour bridge?

The answer depends on whether you can afford it. Congestion charging is coming and that'll add to the cost if you need to drive for work.

This is only a proposal-based on the original toll, inflation-adjusted, almost 70 years ago.

Matthew Birchall: NZ's roading problems can't simply be patched over

The number of potholes on the country’s highways has more than doubled since 2017. In 2022 alone, more than 54,000 needed urgent repair.

Yet problems with how New Zealand’s roads are funded and managed are deeper than even the biggest pothole. And they can’t be patched over with measures like National’s proposed Pothole Repair Fund.

Structural reform is needed.

Tim Dower: Can't imagine people are excited about more toll roads

I can't imagine a lot of people are excited about the idea of more of New Zealand's roads being tolled.

You'll be aware the ACT Party sees this as the way to go if we want to get those big infrastructure projects we need so badly moving more quickly.

ACT would have road development and maintenance funded through a system of tolls.