The Government has announced a $4 billion package to fix potholes on national and local roads, saying the state of them deteriorated under the previous Government.
But the pothole policy has sparked a furious response from the Green Party, which says the Government's got its priorities all wrong.
Education, crime, health: they're hot political issues, but what about potholes? Turns out they are too.
"What the Government announced today is a bit of smoke and mirrors, really. It's just repackaged maintenance and renewal funding," said Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.
Her outrage was in response to an announcement from Transport Minister Simeon Brown on Thursday.
"The New Zealand Transport Agency Board has confirmed a record $2.07 billion for state highway pothole prevention, and $1.8 billion for local road pothole prevention," he told reporters.
Brown said potholes - specifically, filling them - was pushed aside by the last Government.
"Last year, there were over a record 62,000 potholes in need of repair on our State Highways alone. Our coalition Government is serious about looking after the state of our roads and the infrastructure we have," he said.
That sparked a swift backlash from Genter.
"It's really disappointing for New Zealand," she said.
"We're facing such huge challenges when it comes to the climate crisis, cost of living [and] the Government's announcement today isn't going to shift the dial on the real challenges facing New Zealanders."
But some Auckland commuters told Newshub covering potholes is key maintenance.
"I grew up on a farm, so I know what potholes are. They're a pain in the arse," one person said.
"It's a vital part of maintenance," another added.
But Genter doubled down on Thursday.
"The single-minded focus on roads will not help New Zealanders. It's not the best way to move people and goods [and] it's definitely not the best way to address climate change," she said.
Some Aucklanders agreed with Genter.
"Do it on bike lanes, or public transport. Something that's going to get more people moving," one woman told Newshub.
But Brown told Newshub New Zealanders should expect more focus on road maintenance under what he calls the Government's "back to basics" transport agenda.
