Agenda: Fuel in focus as ministers consider next steps
Monday, 30 March 2026
Fuel. The topic will be inescapable this week as the Government continues to round out its nationwide response to the fuel crisis if supplies start running dry.
With Parliament in full swing as it enters another sitting week, fuel will dominate the conversation as the country waits to hear what the Government will do next and if phase two will be triggered.
Officials are still ironing out the details of this plan - as such, it’s understood there will be further announcements in the days ahead.
Questions still linger over whether any future funding packages beyond Nicola Willis’ $50-a-week boost for some families will be announced for workers such as those in the care and support.
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Monday - An update from Government and MBIE
Just after lunchtime on Monday MBIE will release its bi-weekly update on current fuel stocks and fuel shipments.
An update on the fuel crisis will be given at the prime minister’s post-cabinet press conference at 4pm and it is likely Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones will be present.
Meanwhile across the ditch Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is holding an emergency meeting of the national cabinet.
The ABC reports the meeting will seek consistent reporting of fuel supply levels between states and discuss “a range of options” to prevent shortages as the war in the Middle East continues to disrupt global supply.
Stats NZ will be also be releasing its business and employment count indicators for February.
Tuesday - Parliament sits
It’s the busiest day of the week for Parliament as party caucuses meet in the morning followed by the House meeting at 2pm. MPs will be questioned by journalists on their way into both meetings.
While the calender is still being confirmed, the Fisheries Amendment Bill will be entering its first reading this week and will likely be discussed on Tuesday.
The controversial proposal to scrap most minimum size limits for commercial fishes has been removed from the bill, after strong protest last week caused the fisheries minister to backtrack.
The greyhound ban legalisation is back in the House this week in the committee stage, the last opportunity for the bill to be amended before it passes.
On its third reading is the online casino gambling bill which will ban unlicensed online casinos from advertising.
Wednesday - MBIE fuel updates
There will be an annual adjustment to increase financial Government support for superannuitants, working families, students and beneficiaries, including for the family tax credit and NZ Superannuation.
MBIE will provide another update on fuel stocks and fuel shipments.
Thursday - Polyfest and Treasury
ASB Polyfest’s Māori Stage in Auckland is running from Monday to Thursday at the Due Drop Events Centre.
On Thursday, Labour leader Chris Hipkins and several other Labour MPs will attend the event, with Hipkins to speak to media there.
Treasury is also releasing its interim financial statements of the Government for the past eight months.
Friday - Parliament closed for Good Friday
Parliament will be closed for the public holiday of Good Friday.