The government must pay its fair share of Auckland transport dues if it's going to have an open-door immigration policy, the Labour Party says.

Photo: RNZ / Tom Furley

Auckland Mayor, Phil Goff, said the shortfall in the city's 10-year transport plan was widening quickly, from an estimated $4 billion over 10 years to $7bn.

The shortfall was due to a population surge in Auckland of 45,000 people every three years, Mr Goff said.

Labour's Auckland issues spokesperson Phil Twyford said the government consistently refused to pay its fair share for infrustructure, despite allowing the city to grow rapidly.

"Before we look at any kind of tolling system on the motorway network, we have to invest much more seriously in building a modern rapid transit system.

"You can't ask people to pay hundreds of dollars extra a week to use the roads to get to work if there isn't a genuine public transport alternative."

Labour would release its transport policy over the coming weeks, he said.