Why Public Transport Should Be the Focus of Fuel Crisis Relief Packages w/ University of Auckland’s Dr Timothy Welch: 26 March, 2026

Last week, Thursday Wire host Caeden spoke to Dr Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland, about New Zealand’s reliance on cars in the face of a fuel crisis.

Earlier this week the Government announced a fuel crisis relief package, which includes giving 150,000 families an extra $50 a week to help with fuel costs. 

The Green Party proposed an alternative support package that includes free public transport for three months on top of targeted relief payments.

Caeden spoke to Dr Timothy Welch again, this time about the government’s response and alternative proposals that focus on increasing public transport usage.  

They started by asking if he could give an overview of what is in the Government’s relief package.