NZ fuel update: More diesel arrives

Monday, 30 March 2026

Westpac economist Kelly Eckhold warns of rising inflation and unemployment as the global oil crisis hits home. The Government's new plan outlines how New Zealand will respond if petrol and diesel supplies are significantly impacted.

More diesel has arrived in the country, but a drop in jet fuel stock triggered an assessment as part of the National Fuel Plan.

There is almost 22 days’ worth of diesel in-country, with another 33 days on the way, according to the latest Government reporting. Last week, there was just 18 days of diesel left in-country.

The Government started publishing a twice-weekly update on national fuel stocks, in response to concerns about supply chain impacts resulting from the Iran war.

The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) updated its fuel stock monitoring on Monday afternoon. It said that, as of last Thursday, there was:

59.3 days of petrol. That was made up of 27.9 days’ worth on land, 12.5 days on ships within two days of land, and 18.9 days on ships set to arrive within three weeks.
54.5 days of diesel. That was made up of 21.7 days’ worth on land, 6.1 days on ships within two days of land, and 26.7 days on ships set to arrive within three weeks.
50.4 days of jet fuel. That was made up of 25.3 days’ worth on land, 2 days on ships within two days of land, and 23.1 days on ships set to arrive within three weeks.

On Friday, the Government confirmed how it would implement the National Fuel Plan. The plan set out an escalated response, with more restrictions and rationing across four “phases” which would kick in if fuel stocks fell.

New Zealand was at level 1 of the National Fuel Plan, but could move up if:

There were export restrictions from any of the countries selling New Zealand fuel.
If the amount of fuel stock dropped or increased by three days worth of supply.
a fuel company flags they can’t fill future orders
a breach or potential breach of minimum storage obligations
policy changes from Australia or the International Energy Agency
significant disruption to regional distribution

For the time being, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is urging calm. “At this point, it’s business as usual,” he told RNZ on Monday. “Please don’t think, ‘It’s Covid 2.0, I’m making sourdough at home again’.”

Jet fuel drop meets criteria for assessment, but is ‘normal’

With a three-day drop in the jet fuel stock, and significant increases to both the petrol and diesel supplies, the criteria had been met for ministers to consider the National Fuel Plan response.

During Monday’s post-Cabinet press conference, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the change in jet fuel holding was “normal” and so ministers would not be formally considering a change to the National Fuel Plan level.

“I can confirm no such assessment meeting will be taking place at this time,” she said.

While the three-day drop met the criteria for considering a formal assessment, it did not significantly change the national jet fuel stock holding. The jet fuel supply remained relatively high. This was the second highest result for jet fuel holdings since the ministry started publishing stock results at the start of the month.

In total, the ministry said there were five ships set to arrive within two days, and another 10 ships due within three weeks.

Counting total stock, there had been an increase in petrol and diesel supplies but a decrease

The ministry said it would publish its next fuel stocks update on Wednesday.