Five days of food: The products, and people, under the pump
Sunday, 29 March 2026
As fuel prices climb and uncertainty about global supply chains grow, New Zealanders are starting to stock up at the supermarkets - or wishing they could. Virginia Fallon and Stewart Sowman-Lund report.
Monday, Waikanae New World.
Anne Cameron doesn’t bake, has never baked, and is “absolutely not” planning to bake in the future. Currently though she’s experiencing a strange urge to buy flour.
“It’s strange isn’t it? I woke up this morning and it just popped into my head, and now it’s all I can think about. That and petrol of course.”
The latter makes sense. As the Iran War enters its fourth week, the fuel shortage continues to dominate headlines and conversations even as the price at the pump climbs ever upwards. Today in New Zealand, data from petrol price monitoring app Gaspy shows the national average cost of 91 octane petrol is $3.31 a litre - up 37.67% over 28 days, while diesel is $3.13 - up 81.75%.
But although there’s no news about flour, of lack thereof, other Waikanae shoppers admit to sharing Cameron’s unease.
One woman, who prefers to remain anonymous, says the worries are reminiscent of those lockdown ones, when empty supermarket shelves were missing staples such as toilet paper, tins of soup and bottled water.
“It’s more a case of thinking I should buy now when things are cheaper. Or, you know, before they do run out.”
The warnings about the former are clear. Last week, kiwis were told that cost increases were yet to hit supermarket shelves, as Foodstuff’s truck fleet, which moves products around the country, will see a multi-million dollar impact from diesel prices in the next few months.
This morning, Billy Clemens, head of policy and advocacy at Transporting New Zealand, tells RNZ that diesel is usually the second-largest cost after wages for member businesses. 'And road freight's pretty famously a pretty low margin game. So our members are in a position whether they can either pass those costs on or end up in a really difficult position with their business viability.'
Also today we’ll hear that NZ’s fuel stocks have dipped below 50 days, and while the Government has no plans to subsidise public transport it will temporarily allow fuel that meets Australian specifications to be supplied here.
And tomorrow, we’re told, we’ll get the details of the government’s support package, promised since last week when the prime minister warned the situation “could get worse.“
“I can hardly contain my excitement,” mutters one retired gentleman on the way into the supermarket after tying his dog’s leash to the bike-rack.
Tuesday, Porirua Pak’nSave.
Tarsh has been worrying about cooking oil. She’s not quite sure from whom she heard that it was going to be “one of the first things to run out” but she’s not taking any chances.
“My fiancé said ‘well, we’ll just have to cook with butter’ and I said: ‘have you seen the f….. price of butter?’.”
In today’s car park, much of the chatter is about the support package due to be announced this afternoon. Nobody says they’re particularly hopeful, though everyone says anything will help. Tarsh, who does indeed buy two bottles of oil, would love a sort of national food grant, while a few rows over, Joel Hanson just wants any sort of break.
“People aren’t stockpiling food that I’ve seen,” he says, simultaneously steering a trolley, balancing a wriggling toddler on his hip and pointing out the extra pack of nappies bought “just in case”.
“But that’s probably because the people I know can’t afford to.”
Later this afternoon, Ismail Gölgeci, Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at Auckland University, will say shoppers are right to expect trouble.
“What's happening now in the Gulf is that there's a choke point in the Strait of Hormuz. Most people are thinking of oil and gas, but beyond that there is also fertilisers, food products, and industrial products that either aren't being delivered to the rest of the world or can't be delivered from the rest of the world to Gulf countries.
“That means there'll be delays, disruptions, and shortages. Even if the war ends tomorrow, there will be ripple effects lasting at least a few months.”
As for what we’re likely to pay more for at the supermarkets, Gölgeci doesn’t want to speculate.
“But imported food like grains, some fruits and vegetables - I think those types of products will probably see the highest rises. During Covid, the price of local meat went down, because it wasn’t possible to export.“
And although kiwis will experience higher costs before any shortages, Gölgeci warns against stockpiling now.
“Wholesalers will see a drop in inventory levels and respond by increasing the price; ideally, consumers will then consume less of that product.
“But if they're panic buying, we might see even greater increases.”
In other news today, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says the government will be hearing from officials later this week on possible steps towards fuel “demand restraint“ on fuel; Defence Force personnel are scaling back activity to conserve fuel, and Trade Me reports a surge in demand for off-grid properties.
And at 1.30pm, it’s the big news. The Government will provide a $50 weekly boost to the In-Work Tax Credit, kicking in from April 7 and remaining for up to a year or until petrol drops below $3 a litre.
Only families with children and who are in work will receive the payment. The cut off is around $89,000 of annual income for a family with one child, $112,000 for two children and $135,000 for three.
Tarsh, who said she’d be happy to speak again after the announcement, doesn’t answer the phone.
Wednesday, Woolworths Ponsonby.
It’s a drizzly old afternoon in Auckland when Mark Sturgess emerges from the supermarket.
“I don’t want to have a smug look on my face,” he says, when asked how fuel prices are affecting him, “but we’ve got an electric car.”
“I can’t wait to tell people how smart I am - so thanks for the opportunity.”
While today’s car park is an inner-city one, meaning much of the foot traffic is, well, on foot, shoppers are still keen to share both their frustrations at rising fuel costs and how they’re changing shopping habits.
Unlike Sturgess, who spends about $26 to $28 a month to charge the EV at night when power is cheaper, others say they’re hurting.
“I’m a therapist and a lot of my clients are coming in stressed to the max,” says Nina Hawkins, carrying a shopping bag that’s at risk of overflowing.
“I’m just going to fill up [my car] and I’m dreading it. It’s affecting everybody in every way, and mental health is going to be a major issue. We’ve already had a government that’s pulled back on a lot of money for mental health, it’s hard to access and people won’t be able to afford it.”
Hawkins last filled her “little gas hungry Corolla” a few weeks back and, although she can’t recall the cost, it was enough to make her consider an electric vehicle. “I’ve been walking everywhere.”
But walking, of course, isn’t an option for everyone. New Zealand uses about 11 million litres of diesel a day on average, says Justin Tighe-Umbers, the head of the National Road Carriers Association.
“There's a cost increase that's going up here of at least $7 million a day extra on fuel for the whole economy,” he says, explaining that an operator running a fleet of about four trucks will be looking at $1000 extra a day for fuel.
“So they've got to find that cash from customers and be able to pass through that bill directly, or they rapidly start getting into cash-flow constraints.”
Back in the carpark, Rueben says his own personal cash-flow constraints are leading to more budgeting as costs continue to rise.
“It’s more like buying things that I really need, rather than buying something I might want. I’m more concerned about what I’m spending, not just at the supermarket but everywhere.”
For another man, identifying as ‘T’, it’s a familiar tune: “The petrol prices right now are crazy, it’s nasty. It’s not really making me think twice [about what I buy], it’s about what do I have to save on?”
And Ian is also becoming “more and more selective” on what he spends his money on - and not just because of fuel.
“Things are getting more and more expensive in general,” he says, adding although he spent $180 filling his car a few days ago - “that was unpleasant” - he tries to limit its use for only when necessary.
Instead, the retiree is making the most of his gold card for public transport: “I haven’t got much else to do.”
Thursday, Lower Hutt Pak’nSave.
“I’m happy to give you my theory,” says a shopper unloading groceries into her car , “but I don’t want you to use my name.”
It’s mid-morning in the underground car park and the 43-year-old’s theory is that the term “panic-buying” needs to be changed. It’s kind of “victim-blamey”, she says, “and only happens because everyone is reacting at once, because they have to.
“We’re told to be ready for earthquakes and tsunamis, but when we try and get ready for shortages and higher costs, suddenly we’re shamed. Or that’s what it feels like.”
Asked if she’s “getting ready” the woman gestures to the pile of shopping spilling from her boot into the backseat: a dozen cans, a few rolls of paper towels, two big value packs of toilet paper, a great stack of meat trays and a couple of coffee tins.
“What does it look like?,” she asks rhetorically, “of course I am, because I’m not stupid”.
Shortly afterwards, when she drives off, another shopper sidles over.
“I heard what you were talking about,” says the older man, “and just thought I’d say that it’s people like that who are causing all the problems.”
Later today, a Foodstuffs spokesperson will reassure New Zealanders there is no risk to the availability of grocery supplies, despite ongoing global disruption.
“We’re seeing a slight increase in demand for a small number of everyday staples, which is consistent with customers topping up or planning ahead,” says the statement to the Sunday Star-Times.
“The more significant challenge is emerging cost pressure. Rising diesel prices are impacting transport across the supply chain, along with increasing costs for suppliers, including materials such as plastic packaging.
“While these pressures are not yet reflected in shelf prices, they are beginning to build and may become harder to absorb if they persist.
“At this stage, there is no direct impact on retail pricing across our stores. However, we’re in ongoing discussions with suppliers, some of whom are starting to feel the strain.”
But the company says remains focused on minimising any impact on customers by “investing in efficiency across our network, running fuel-efficient fleets, maximising truck capacity, and optimising delivery routes. Foodstuffs is also working closely with government through regular forums focused on fuel supply and consumption.
“We acknowledge the continued cost of living pressures facing New Zealanders and remain committed to keeping prices stable for as long as we can.”
Returning to Lower Hutt, another shopper echoes a sentiment we heard back in Porirua on Tuesday.
“I’m definitely thinking about stockpiling; I just can’t afford to.”
Friday, Ōtaki New World.
It's early, weirdly warm, and hard to find people willing to talk in today’s car park.
Those who do speak aren't happy, either with what they've just spent at the supermarket or what they are about to.
'Sick of it,' says Jill, on her way in to buy ingredients for a lasagne. She's got the family coming for dinner tonight and resents not being able to just feel happy about the occasion.
'I shouldn't have to worry about the cost of feeding everyone, I should just be pleased they're coming. And I am really pleased, but you know….'
Although Jill winces at the 'stock-piling' term she's also planning to do 'at least a bit of it' this weekend when she has more time. Her list so far includes sanitary pads, cleaning products, coffee and pet food.
'And yes, before you ask me, toilet paper too.'
Much of this morning’s news concerns the National Fuel Plan, set to be unveiled later today. Associate energy minister Shane Jones, who will front the announcement with Willis, says there's been no cause for the government to think there isn't enough fuel on the water headed to New Zealand.
He also says it's no great surprise that South Korea, where New Zealand gets 51 percent of its refined fuel from, is discussing whether to keep fuel in-country rather than export it.
“Yes, people will be looking to moderate their usage, as is my own whānau, but I don’t want anyone taking from any discussion or announcement that it’s a time for alarmism: that’s not accurate.”
In Ōtaki though, at least one person isn’t going to listen to the announcement or anything else in the news.
Charlie is 65, shares a vegetable garden with his eldest daughter, and always has a freezer full of home-kill. The only thing he’s buying from the supermarket today is a small bottle of milk that he “could easily do without”.
“I’m done with it, all of it. I’m just doing my thing, trying to stay happy, ignoring all the doom and gloom. It could be worse eh? It could always be worse.”