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Watch: PM Christopher Luxon on the latest in the fuel crisis

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is giving an update on the national fuel plan during an post-Cabinet media conference along side Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones.

The briefing after the weekly cabinet meeting follows the latest data released from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) showing total fuel stocks in the country have increased since the last update on Wednesday.

On Friday last week, the government gave more detail on updates to its 2024 fuel plan.

That laid out what would trigger a change from the current phase 1, to higher phases; more specifics about what each phase would mean, and how different sectors would be prioritised for fuel if it came to that.

The government has continued to emphasise New Zealand does not face supply shortages.

However, prices have continued to be high – with data from price monitoring app Gaspy showing a 90-cent increase for Unleaded 91 and a 158-cent increase for diesel in the past 28 days.

Luxon told Morning Report on Monday said as long as phases one and two of the national fuel plan are effective, people won’t have to worry about phases three and four.

“At this point in time we’ve had no indication that our fuel importers who we talk to daily, multiple times a day, have had any cancellation of their forward orders,” Luxon said.

He said the government’s utmost priority was ensuring that the country had fuel – even if that meant fuel suppliers paying additional Iranian tolls.

Luxon said he was leaving it to fuel importers and distributors to organise how to allocate fuel.

“There needs to be a reworking of the allocations which is what the importers and the distributors need to work out this week, and it’s up to them to do so.”

Latest figures from MBIE show total national fuel stocks have increased since the last update with movements remaining within expectations. Stocks continue to be robust across petrol, diesel and jet fuel.

Overall, New Zealand has 59.3 days of petrol, 54.5 days of diesel and 50.4 days of jet fuel available. This is as of 11.59pm 25 March.

This fuel is either in New Zealand, within our Exclusive Economic Zone (New Zealand waters) – which includes ships with fuel unloading, ships at berth yet to unload, and ships moving between ports – or on water outside the EEZ up to 3 weeks away.

There is currently no indication of fuel supply disruption, and fuel continues to flow normally into New Zealand.

Supply chain data from US investment bank JP Morgan earlier reported the last shipments of fuel from Gulf Oil are likely to arrive in New Zealand on 20 April.

Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold told Monday’s Morning Report the government would be wise to start prioritising diesel allocation now, and that the situation is only getting worse.

He expected 91 to cost an average of $3.70 per litre by the end of the week.

“New Zealand is at the long end, at the end of a very long supply chain, and basically mid-April is looking like when it lines up for when there will be challenges here.

“Diesel that we burn now could be diesel that we need in three or four weeks.

“You can get on the bus, you can drive your EV to work, but in the end, if we want a farmer to be getting our food off the land, then he needs that diesel.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Investigation shines light on dark web drug operation

Source: New Zealand Police

A Police investigation has swooped in on allegedly one of New Zealand’s most prolific sellers of illegal drugs on the dark web.

Operation Laver sees a continued focus by the National Organised Crime Group at putting pressure on drug importers and suppliers operating on the dark web.

Detective Senior Sergeant Reece Sirl says the investigation targeted a prolific user on the largest New Zealand dark web server.

Police will allege the account was used to carry out around 2,800 individual drug transactions between June 2025 and March 2026.

“We estimate the value of these transactions over nine-months is around $1.2 million,” Detective Senior Sergeant Sirl says.

“These transactions involved around 13 different types of drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, GBL and ketamine.”

Police executed a search warrant at a rural property in northern Auckland late last week.

Detective Senior Sergeant Sirl says a concoction of drugs were located at the property in various stages of preparation for supply to dark net customers.

Around $55,000 in cash was also seized.

A 35-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman were arrested and appeared before the North Shore District Court.

A significant number of charges involving the sale and supply of class A, B and C controlled drugs have been laid in the North Shore District Court.

“We cannot rule out further charges for either of these two individuals, and any further persons identified from evidence located during the ongoing investigation,” Detective Senior Sergeant Sirl says.

It is yet another investigation disrupting illicit drug operations in New Zealand attempting to hide away on the dark web.

“Many dark net vendors believe they are operating with impunity,” he says.

“However, they should be aware that even though they are choosing to operate in the shadows, you are not invisible to Police and not immune to prosecution.”

Police, along with law enforcement partners, are continuing to expand investigative capabilities on dark net and other encrypted platforms.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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State Highway 3 re-opens north of Bulls

Source: New Zealand Police


District:

Central

State Highway 3 north of Bulls has re-opened following an earlier vehicle fire.

We wish to thank motorists for their patience and understanding.

Further delays can be expected as congestion clears.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Small businesses still confident about investing, says specialist lender

Source: Radio New Zealand

Overall borrowing for small businesses was still robust towards the end of the financial year. File photo. 123 RF

Small businesses are still borrowing and investing, despite the Middle East conflict affecting the economy, according to a specialist lender.

Prospa says loan demand flattened slightly in March as rising fuel prices dented confidence, but overall borrowing was still robust – especially for equipment purchases and for taking advantage of government depreciation allowances before the financial year closes tomorrow.

Managing director Adrienne Begbie said firms were also drawing on lines of credit to boost inventory levels, partly as a hedge against possible transport disruptions, and partly to manage future cashflow pressures.

“People are borrowing off our line‑of‑credit product – you’re only paying interest when you’re using it – so it’s more of a ‘just‑in‑case I need it’ scenario,” she said.

Begbie said Prospa’s approval‑to‑settlement metric – the proportion of businesses actually drawing down approved credit – was sitting above 80 percent, levels she said suggested businesses were confident about investing.

She said arrears on business loans had dropped to low levels, and Prospa’s data showed most borrowers were profitable.

After enduring several crises in recent years, Begbie said small businesses seemed to be taking a more pragmatic view this time around, accepting they can not control global events and instead “looking at themselves and getting on with it”.

These trends suggested small businesses were not battening down the hatches during the fuel crisis.

Begbie said the country needed to be careful not to talk itself into a recession.

“There’s still a lot of activity out there, and I worry the doom‑and‑gloom rhetoric is pulling people down,” she says.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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State Highway 3 closed south of Te Awamutu

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 3, Kihikihi is closed near McGhie Road following a crash.

The two-vehicle crash was reported just after 2:30pm.

Initial indications are that there are serious injuries.

Diversions are in place at the intersection with Golf Road and Herbert Street.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Local markets provide cheaper options as people have to choose between fuel or food

Source: Radio New Zealand

Vegetable stalls at Otara markets. RNZ/Luka Forman

With the war in Iran pushing up the cost of everyday goods, some New Zealanders are having to choose between putting fuel in their car or putting good quality food on the table.

Some are choosing to buy cheaper meat or fruit and veges, catching the bus instead of driving or picking up overtime at their jobs to get by.

RNZ visited two of South Auckland’s weekend markets to find out how people are coping.

Difficult choices

At the Otara markets, you can find some great deals on fresh fruit and vegetables and mouthwatering food stalls.

People were taking advantage of cheaper prices for produce – but many were still struggling.

Local woman Miriama said the rising cost of food and fuel had left her with some difficult choices.

“Have you got enough gas in the car to go to work? Or do you cut back on the meat you have? And then when you’re going to buy mince that’s so expensive, and that was like a staple which is no longer a staple anymore.”

“Then you come to the markets to try and find your vegetables or things you can’t afford to go to go to the grocery store for, and even Pak’nSave isn’t enough anymore. I would say it’s pretty abysmal.”

Food prices have jumped up 4.5 percent in the year to February, with some items like beef mince and sirloin steak up more than 20 percent.

South Auckland man George at Otara markets. RNZ/Luka Forman

George, who worked as a glazier, had been picking up overtime in the early hours to get by.

“I start at 2’oclock this morning, finished at 8, just come down to the market to get some food. I’m doing nine hour shifts a day but they want OT eh? Might as well grab it while it’s there.”

The government’s policies were not helping people like him with the cost of living, he said.

“Especially working class, that’s why I come here to get my veges bro it’s cheaper. Supermarket’s a ripoff too.”

Alot of the blame lay at the feet of President Trump, he said.

“It all starts from him, with the fuel and all that, with Iran and all that. He shouldn’t get involved with them, just let them do their business.”

Catching the bus

Over at the Mangere market, solo mum Doreen said she had started catching the bus with her three children because of the cost of petrol.

“I live in Otahuhu at the moment and have to travel to Mangere to school. $3 something a litre? I’ve already ran out three times!”

The government’s $50 per week support package to help some families with the cost of fuel was not enough, she said.

“Per child yeah that’d be great. But for a family, that’s just bugger-all really.”

South Auckland woman Doreen with her son at Mangere markets. RNZ/Luka Forman

So what were people’s best tips to save money in tough economic times?

“Stay home!” Doreen laughed.

“If you have any money, my best tip is whenever you get coins just try to stick the coins away because they do add up”, Miriama said.

Back in Otara, George was just taking things one day at a time.

“We just got to survive mate. Nothing else than that. As long as you can wake up in the morning and go to work.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Whakaari volcanic alert level drops after no more signs of eruption

Source: Radio New Zealand

An ash cloud was seen over Whakaari White Island last week. Earth Sciences NZ

The volcanic alert level for Whakaari White Island has been lowered, after no further ash since an eruption last week.

But there is also a warning there could still be sudden and more explosive activity.

A plume of ash rose to about 1300 metres after a small eruption on Tuesday.

Earth Sciences said it had not detected anything further and it would be doing an observation flight as soon as conditions allowed.

The Volcanic Alert Level is now 2, because there are not any signs of an eruption.

But the Aviation Colour Code is staying at Orange.

The agency said volcanic activity could still return with little or no warning.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Self-served snack lands man in court

Source: New Zealand Police

A man allegedly caught breaking into the shop at a petrol station in Glen Eden will now face court.

At about 2.30am, Police were notified of an alarm and fog cannon activation at a petrol station on West Coast Road.

A Police camera operator was then able to track a shirtless man acting in an erratic manner and eating food near the forecourt.

Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Acting Inspector Nick Salter, says upon arrival it was clear the business had been broken into.

“Police have arrived and the man has resisted arrest.

“He was subsequently OC sprayed, however he has then attempted to flee on foot and was apprehended by a Police dog.

“We will continue to hold such brazen offending to account.”

A 35-year-old man will appear in Waitākere District Court today charged with burglary and resisting Police.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

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Auckland power cable ‘possibly’ intentionally damaged, causes diesel leak scare

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

Police are speaking with two people after a diesel leak scare in the South Auckland suburb of Manurewa.

Fire and Emergency discovered the leak was actually cable cooling fluid used to insulate power cables.

Three crews were called to the scene on Great South Road in the suburb of Manurewa at 6.30am.

Police said they were “speaking with” two people in relation to the matter.

Earlier Detective senior sergeant Michele Gillespie, of the Counties Manukau Crime Squad, said police were made aware of a potential gas leak early on Monday.

Upon arrival, Gillespie said it was determined to be a Northpower pipe.

“Police do not believe the pipe is connected to the nearby service stations,” Gillespie added.

Earlier FENZ assistant commander Chris Delfos also said it was possible the initial damage was intentional.

He said there had also been a telephone line cut nearby, but would not comment further on that.

Fire and Emergency NZ and police were called to Great South Road before 7am. Kim Baker Wilson/RNZ

A Northpower spokesperson said the cable affected is in the Vector network area.

“Northpower Energy Services contract to Vector for some work in the area,” a statement said.

Anyone with additional information is asked to update police – online, or by calling 105 – using the reference number P065915628.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Emergency services at the scene. Kim Baker Wilson/RNZ

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Tourism industry leader says businesses are experiencing ‘sharp increase in business costs’

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand’s tourism industry is feeling the impacts of the Middle East conflict, with cost of living, to the cost of travel itself skyrocketing, Tourism Industry Aotearoa’s chief executive Rebecca Ingram says. Quin Tauetau

New Zealand’s tourism industry is feeling the impacts of the Middle East conflict, with businesses experiencing “a sharp increase in business costs“, an industry leader says.

The industry was said to be getting its mojo back in the past 18 months, however the global fuel crisis is making the comeback difficult – from the increases in cost of living, to the cost of travel itself.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa’s chief executive Rebecca Ingram told Midday Report the situation was not ideal, but the industry was used to disruption.

“Whether its earthquakes volcanos that change flight paths, and in this case we’ve got conflict, and it’s times like this we really rally together, we hustle internationally to make sure we stay connected…”

“Many businesses are experiences the sharp increase in business costs as a result of the leap in fuel prices.

“The most obvious price most people think about is jet fuel, but then there’s the jet boats, the lawn mowers that are need to mow all the beautiful lawns and holiday parks and botanic gardens, transport providers, so those costs are feeling pretty squeezy for many.”

Ingram said in a recent survey Tourism Industry Aotearoa, 70 percent of businesses reported experiencing little to no impact.

“What we can see at the initial survey results is that many New Zealanders will have booked and paid for their holidays, but there are some signal some businesses are experiencing cancellations – so 70 percent are saying there is no impact or a small decrease.”

Ingram said it was a “bit of a blessing” that the disruption was happening at the end of the summer season.

But she said one in nine Kiwis had a job in tourism, and the industry would be keeping a “very close eye on the situation in Iran and the disruption that might be possible for the next few months”.

“We will be wanting to work with the government and tourism New Zealand in particular to look at how we can ensure a successful summer 26/27.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand