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WELLINGTON: Protesting truck drivers converged on New Zealand's main cities Friday, slowing traffic to a near standstill as they protested higher road taxes.
The protests were held in 13 cities and major towns to coincide with the morning rush hour.
Police said an estimated 2,000 trucks clogged the streets and motorways of the biggest city Auckland, though total gridlock was avoided as many commuters travelled early to avoid the traffic jams.
About 300 trucks travelled in a convoy through the capital Wellington, sounding their horns as they passed the parliament.
Kelvin Bonney from the Road Transport Forum said truck drivers were delighted by the support.
"We are more than happy, absolutely overwhelmed and it shows the country wants to be listened to," he said.
The truck drivers were protesting the government's decision this week to increase road user charges at a time fuel prices are soaring and the economy is sharply slowing.
Road Transport Users Forum chief executive Tony Friedlander said trucking companies were also angered that the increase came without warning, breaking what he said was a promise by Transport Minister Annette King to give a month's notice of any rise.
King denied making such a promise but said the government would review the way the trucking industry is taxed.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said Friday it was important the trucking industry pay its fair share of costs.
"It seems to me other road users have been picking up the bulk of the cost of funding our transport system and there's got to be an element of fairness here," Clark said.
- AFP/yb
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