Annex: Plan on a page
On this page
Our vision
To have a fuel system that is resilient to disruptions, so that people have access to fuel where and when they need it.
Context
New Zealand’s economy and way of life depend on liquid fuels. There is increasing demand for low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels. The government has a National Fuel Plan that outlines our approach to respond to domestic issues when they arise. The 2025 Fuel Security Study found that our fuel system is largely resilient and identified measures to further enhance our fuel security.
Objectives
Maintain fuel supply by:
- improving energy independence
- reducing vulnerabilities in our fuel supply chains
- minimising the impact of fuel disruptions
Focus areas and actions
Resilience against global supply disruptions
Underway
1.1: Participate in the IEA’s coordinated efforts to ensure stable fuel supply.
1.2: Participate in biennial global emergency exercises coordinated by the IEA and adopt new recommended actions to enhance emergency preparedness.
1.3: Monitor the minimum stockholding obligation, which currently requires fuel importers to hold 28, 21 and 24 days of petrol, diesel and jet fuel cover onshore.
1.4: Make regulations requiring importers (with more than 10% market share) to hold additional 7 days of diesel.
1.5: Engage with key fuel export nations to secure continued market access to fuel in supply disruptions.
1.6: Improve the government’s visibility of information on fuel sources, storage and distribution through information disclosure regimes.
Planned
1.7: Review minimum stockholding obligation regulations in 2026 to determine whether to require all importers to hold an additional seven days of diesel.
1.8: Information campaigns on fuel demand management and fuel switching to alternative fuels.
1.9: Regularly review and update fuel demand forecasts.
Domestic resilience
Underway
2.1: Monitor fuel-related risks on the National Risk Register, as part of delivering the National Risk and Resilience Framework.
2.2: Test the National Fuel Plan at least once a year through the National Exercise Programme, where relevant, and participation in fuel sector exercises.
2.3: Implement location-specific minimum stockholding obligation for jet fuel at Auckland Airport.
2.4: Monitor the quality of automotive and marine fuel to ensure imported products meet our quality, performance, and safety requirements.
Planned
2.5: Review and update the National Fuel Plan in 2027.
2.6: Review the minimum stockholding obligation regime in 2030, including whether changes are required to deliver regional resilience.
2.7: Engage with fuel companies to ensure there is sufficient alternative distribution capacity (for example, fuel trucks and drivers) to respond to disruptions.
2.8: Review the Petroleum Demand Restraint Act 1981.
2.9: Identify opportunities to improve readiness and response arrangements for the fuel sector through the development of the Emergency Management Bill.
Supporting domestic alternatives
Underway
3.1: Explore the role of Special Economic Zones to facilitate projects that enhance fuel security.
3.2: Provide an enabling regulatory environment to encourage domestic production of low-carbon alternative fuels.
3.3: Support deployment of EV charging infrastructure through the Supercharging EV Infrastructure programme.
3.4: Support uptake of heavy goods vehicles, which use alternative fuels.
3.5: Introduce a new standard for renewable diesel.
Planned
3.6: Investigate whether there are regulatory barriers impeding the use of alternative fuels in the shipping and aviation sectors, that improve fuel security.
Resilience in a transitioning market
Underway
4.1: Monitor patterns of fuel supply and demand to ensure consumers have access to products.
4.2: Monitor progress on resilience measures at Auckland Airport as recommended by the 2019 Government Inquiry into the Auckland Supply Disruption.