Auckland's Mayor thinks the city's residents will be on board with the proposal to introduce a regional fuel tax to fund transport infrastructure.

The Government says they will change the law to allow it, if the Council asks.

The tax is likely to be 10 cents a litre and is expected to raise $1.5 billion over 10 years to help pay for projects such as light rail.

Phil Goff says he got support from Aucklanders for the idea during his election campaign.

"People would prefer a regional fuel tax than the other option such as increasing general rates, and that was the clear message I got back from Aucklanders," he said.

Goff says the fuel tax is the quickest and cheapest way to raise finance to combat Auckland's congestion.

However, the policy has already proved to be divisive in the few hours since new Minister of Transport Phil Twyford announced it.

A poll on nzherald.co.nz showed 42 per cent of people support it, with 49 per cent against the idea while
seven per cent are on the fence.

The tax will pay for projects including trams to Auckland Airport and Westgate in West Auckland.

The policy is expected to cost $5 billion and take 10 years, with the first leg completed by 2021.