Fuel Supply - What businesses need to know
This page brings together official government updates, media coverage, and EMA insights to support our Members through the ongoing Iran conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Content is updated regularly as new information becomes available.
Last updated: Wednesday 8 April, 4:15pm
Fuel Supply - What businesses need to know
This page brings together official government updates, media coverage, and EMA insights to support our Members through the ongoing Iran conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Content is updated regularly as new information becomes available.
Last updated: Wednesday 8 April, 4:15pm
How the conflict is affecting NZ businesses, based on Member survey data.
The latest operational update from our partners Z Energy.
A Facebook community where New Zealand businesses can connect.
EMA Fuel Insights Report >
How the Iranian conflict is affecting NZ businesses, based on Member survey data.
The latest operational update from our partners Z Energy.
A Facebook community where New Zealand businesses can connect.
Latest update
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand has welcomed the announcements by the United States and Iran of a two-week ceasefire.
“While this is encouraging news, there remains significant important work to be done in the coming days to secure a lasting ceasefire,” he says.
“We are grateful for the work of Pakistan, and others such as Turkiye and Egypt, to seek to find a solution to the crisis.
“As we discussed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio today, this conflict has had wide-ranging impacts and disruptions – for both those in the Middle East and further afield including in New Zealand and the Pacific region.
“In the coming days and weeks, New Zealand will stand in support of all efforts to bring about a lasting, durable end to this conflict.”
US President Donald Trump has announced that he will suspend his threatened bombing of Iran’s energy infrastructure and bridges for two weeks.
In a post on Truth Social he says that it is conditional on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
While we wait for further developments, the EMA team is regularly in touch with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the government ministers charged with managing fuel supplies during this very challenging time.
Read more
We’ll regularly refresh this site with updates from those sessions and with the latest data from MBIE and the Ministry of Transport (MoT). We are also part of regular MBIE briefings on the ongoing situation.
Fuel stocks have again risen in the latest government update, indicating a continued strengthening of overall supply.
According to the MBIE, as of midday Sunday there are 62.6 days of petrol coverage, 51.7 days of diesel, and 53.5 days of jet fuel available across the system.
All fuel categories have increased since the previous update, although petrol and diesel have each risen by less than half a day’s normal consumption, signalling relatively modest gains.
Jet fuel has seen a more significant improvement, increasing by more than three days’ worth of consumption, further strengthening its supply position.
These totals include fuel already in the country as well as shipments in transit, with two ships currently within New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone and a further 12 vessels expected to arrive within the next three weeks. This pipeline continues to support confidence in medium-term supply stability.
Onshore fuel availability presents a more nuanced picture. Current in-country stocks sit at approximately 28 days of petrol, 24 days of diesel, and 28 days of jet fuel. While these levels remain adequate, the lower domestic diesel figure in particular highlights the importance of distribution and replenishment timing to ensure consistent access for businesses and freight operators.
Overall, total fuel supply remains robust and is trending upward, supported by incoming shipments. However, onshore stock levels, especially for diesel, continue to require close monitoring, reinforcing the need for careful management of both supply chains and demand.
New Zealand is currently operating at phase 1. MBIE is asking for business input:
View MBIE criteria
But much depends on whether the two-week ceasefire will result in a lasting cessation of hostilities. We’ll keep Members updated.
EMA Member-Exclusive Forum with Hon Shane Jones
You’re invited to a forum with Hon. Shane Jones, New Zealand’s Minister responsible for fuel security and a senior leader of the government’s Fuel Security Ministerial Oversight Group, at the EMA Business Hub in Grafton on Thursday, 6 May.
This is your opportunity to hear first-hand, timely updates on fuel security, understand the government’s plans to address impacts on business and its operations, and to raise your questions with the Minister.
In the news
New Zealand’s Fuel Response Plan 2026
The government has outlined a four-phase framework to manage fuel supply if conditions worsen.
Oil Price Charts
Oil prices are around US$100 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude and Brent Crude the most common indicators.
Live New Zealand Fuel Prices
At the pump: petrol and diesel has surged over $3.40 per litre.
Listen: Fuel disruption hits business confidence before supplies, EMA survey
Current fuel stock
| Stock as of 11:59PM Sunday 5 April |
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
In-country |
|
28.3 days |
23.7 days |
27.9 days |
|
On water (up to 2 days away) |
2 |
1.4 days |
2.3 days |
0.4 days |
|
On water (up to 3 weeks away) |
12 |
33.0 days |
25.7 days |
25.2 days |
|
Total New Zealand stock |
|
62.6 days |
51.7 days |
53.5 days |
In‑Work Tax Credit – Government Fact Sheet
The In‑Work Tax Credit provides additional income support to eligible working families on low to middle incomes. As part of the government’s response to fuel‑related cost‑of‑living pressures, the credit has been temporarily increased by up to $50 per week, delivering extra support to households that rely on paid work.
Fuel disruption planning
The current messaging from MBIE:
Fuel supply is currently stable, and our stocks remain sufficient. There is no need to change how you purchase fuel.
New Zealand has clear, proven arrangements for managing disruptions. The government has put a Fuel Response Plan 2026 in place so it can act early and deliberately, based on evidence, across a range of possible scenarios. Introducing fuel rationing or restrictions before there is clear evidence of a genuine shortage won’t create more fuel in the system. New Zealand doesn’t have large storage capacity beyond the minimum stockholding requirements, so we rely on regular shipments to keep supply steady. Bringing in restrictions too early can disrupt normal operations and make it harder to keep fuel flowing to essential services when it really matters.
While there are currently no disruptions to our supply that require changes to how we buy fuels, the price of petrol and diesel is expected to continue to climb in the coming weeks. Businesses should plan ahead for higher fuel costs in ways that make sense for their operations, employees, and customers.
At this stage, the goal is early demand reduction to avoid stricter controls later. The government’s current advice is that fuel supply remains stable with healthy stock levels, and there is no need for panic or behaviour change right now, while officials closely monitor the situation and provide regular updates.
Business planning
- Reduce fuel demand where feasible
- Encourage working from home, carpooling, and public transport where practical
- Optimise routes and logistics to cut mileage
- Promote fuel-efficient driving (speed reduction, load planning)
- Smooth acceleration and braking – Avoid rapid starts and hard stops
- Maintain a steady speed – Use cruise control on highways where possible; constant speed is more efficient than stop-start driving
- Drive at moderate speeds – Fuel use rises above 90–100 km/h
- Anticipate traffic
- Keep tyres properly inflated – Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance and fuel use
- Reduce unnecessary weight – Remove heavy items or roof racks when not needed
- Review contracts with fuel surcharges that pass price increases onto the customer
- Build fuel cost escalation into pricing where possible
- Improve operational efficiency by consolidating deliveries
- Shift to digital or remote service delivery where viable
- Scenario plan internally
- Identify fuel-critical operations vs non-essential
- Stress-test margins under sustained high fuel costs
- Stay informed and connected
- You can feed back to MBIE on fuel response priority bands
- Monitor government phase changes and stock levels
- Keep up to date on government announcements
The government will move to the next phases of its four-phase framework to manage fuel supply (phase 2–3 conditions, with possible rationing). Businesses will need to prioritise, secure supply and activate contingencies.
What to prepare for
- Mandated fuel reductions
- Priority access rules, with fuel directed to essential sectors
- Potential rationing or restricted availability
Business planning
- Prioritise critical operations
- Ringfence fuel for revenue-critical or safety-critical activities
- Pause or scale down non-essential travel/services
- Secure supply where possible
- Negotiate priority contracts with suppliers
- Consider shared logistics with partners
- Activate contingency plans
- Shift to lower-fuel or no-fuel alternatives (rail, digital, local sourcing)
- Identify if your business qualifies as ‘critical’
- Register assets/staff if systems are introduced
- Expand remote work policies
- Adjust operating hours to reduce fuel use
Note that fuel shortages can cascade into power, logistics, and supply chain disruptions.
Lock in resilience and diversify for future shocks. Supply may normalise, but geopolitical risks remain.
Business planning
- Gradually normalise operations
- Resume paused activities carefully
- Avoid sudden demand spikes, which can worsen recovery
- Lock in resilience and efficiency improvements
- Maintain efficiency gains such as routing, remote work, fleet optimisation
- Diversify suppliers and logistics routes
- Build future resilience, including fuel diversification
- Increase fuel storage where viable
- Develop formal business continuity plans for fuel shocks
- Review lessons learned
- What operations were most vulnerable?
- What substitutions worked best?
Latest official press releases
Save 10c per litre on business vehicles with Z Energy
Keep your drivers moving with Z Business – offering the convenience of being accepted at 550+ service stations and truck stops throughout New Zealand. Learn more about how to access benefits available to EMA Members.
Fuel saving tips with EECA
Your fuel will go up to 20% further with a few efficient driving habits, and staying on top of routine maintenance, like checking your tyre pressure regularly.