Eligibility

A member’s travel is eligible for the allowance if the member:

  • is not provided with a motor vehicle by the local authority,
  • is travelling in a private vehicle,
  • is on local authority business, and
  • is taking the most direct route that is reasonable in the circumstances.

However, if a member of a local authority travels from a place where the member permanently or temporarily resides that is outside the local authority area, the member is only eligible for a vehicle-kilometre allowance for eligible travel after the member crosses the boundary of the local authority area.

Exemption

A local authority may include in their elected members’ expenses and reimbursement policy provision for members to apply an exemption from the restriction placed on their reimbursement of costs.

Exemptions for vehicle and travel allowances

Allowance payable

The allowance payable to a member for eligible travel in the determination term is based on vehicle type.

The vehicle kilometre allowance is based on the kilometre rates for self-employed people and employees published by Inland Revenue.

Petrol vehicles

The allowance for a petrol vehicle is $1.17 per kilometre for the first 14,000 kilometres, and 37 cents per kilometre after.

Diesel vehicles

The allowance for a diesel vehicle is $1.26 per kilometre for the first 14,000 kilometres, and 35 cents per kilometre after.

Petrol hybrid vehicles

The allowance for a petrol hybrid vehicle is 86 cents per kilometre for the first 14,000 kilometres, and 21 cents per kilometre after.

Electric vehicles

The allowance for an electric vehicle is $1.08 per kilometre for the first 14,000 kilometres, and 19 cents per kilometre after.