Source: Radio New Zealand
The government has fleshed out its National Fuel Plan, outlining rationing measures that would be taken if supplies start running dry.
Resembling the Covid alert levels, the plan has four ‘phases’. New Zealand is at phase one.
Phase 2 would see homes, businesses and the public sector encouraged to conserve fuel.
The higher phases are still under consultation.
Phase 3 would see fuel prioritised for life-preserving services and phase 4 would see stricter intervention in fuel distribution.
Moving up or down levels is decided by a ministerial oversight group based on fuel stocks, restrictions and supply chain data.
“While there is currently no need for fuel restrictions, the public can be assured that the government is planning carefully, acting early and making sure New Zealand is well positioned to respond, whatever the global environment brings,” Finance Minister Nicola Willis said.
“Ensuring New Zealand has the fuel we need to protect jobs, livelihoods and the wider economy is our first priority in managing the impact of global fuel disruption.
“The updates released today give practical effect to the National Fuel Plan established in 2024 and reflect the specific potential risks New Zealand could face as a result of major fuel disruption driven by the conflict in the Middle East.”
Minister Shane Jones, responsible for fuel security, said the updates were developed alongside the fuel industry.
“This is critical because the plan relies on fuel companies cooperating and working constructively with government,” he said.
“My expectation is that we continue to work together as the situation evolves. The industry will play a key role in providing advice to the Ministerial Oversight Group if and when we are required to consider a move between phases.
“New Zealand has sufficient fuel stocks, but we are planning for potential scenarios where obtaining future supply could become increasingly difficult.”
The criteria for changing phases were:
“The plan is designed to keep fuel flowing where it matters most, relying on market settings wherever possible, and only stepping in further if supply is genuinely at risk,” Willis said.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand