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Fuel talk is heating up — but the message right now is: don’t panic.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says New Zealand currently has about 50 days’ worth of fuel on the way, with shipments still arriving safely.
That said, the Government isn’t taking any chances. They’re already working closely with fuel companies in case supply issues in Asia start slowing things down.
Why the concern? A lot of our fuel comes from oil that’s shipped out of the Middle East, refined overseas, then sent here. And with the ongoing conflict involving Iran — including disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz (a key route for about 20% of the world’s oil) — there’s pressure on global supply.
Willis says if there is any disruption, it’s still likely weeks away, and officials expect clearer signals in the next 2–3 weeks. For now, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve and being ready to act early.
There’s also a bigger picture here: rising fuel costs and the cost of living. The Government is looking closely at who will feel the squeeze the most and how to support them — without making inflation worse.
As for those scenes of people rushing to fill up over the weekend? Willis gets it — people are hunting for cheaper fuel — but she’s reassuring Kiwis that there’s no immediate shortage.
Bottom line
- Fuel is still flowing
- Any risk is not immediate
- Plans are in place just in case
No need to panic-buy — at least for now.
Stuff