Engine fuel quality

The Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations

We are responsible for administering the Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations 2011. The regulations set out fuel specifications for petrol, diesel, biofuels, and biofuel blends. Aviation fuels are not covered by these regulations.

The regulations set out the minimum standards for fuel performance, enabling consumers to purchase fuel to a quality standard appropriate for New Zealand's vehicle fleet and climatic conditions. They also include provisions limiting fuel components that could be harmful to the environment or public health.

The regulations are reviewed periodically to keep pace with technological advances and international standards for fuel quality and vehicles.

Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations 2011(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

2026 temporary alignment with Australian fuel specifications

In March 2026, the Government amended the engine fuel specifications to temporarily allow fuel that meets the Australian specification to be sold in New Zealand, with the exception of the specification for sulphur in petrol. The two specifications are almost identical, but the change means that fuel importers will have more options for fuel in a supply-constrained environment.

Fuel importers can choose to import fuel that meets either New Zealand or Australian specifications, or a mix of both. The least restrictive specification for any particular parameter will apply.

The amended regulations allowing Australian-spec fuel will be automatically revoked on 31 March 2027.  For fuel ordered before the revocation date, there will be a six-month transitional period after 31 March 2027. After that, all fuel supplied in New Zealand will need to meet just the New Zealand specification.

Guidance on the Engine Fuel Specification Amendment Regulations 2026

Cabinet decisions on fuel specification changes:

2025 review of fuel specifications

Between February and April 2025, we sought feedback on proposed changes to the engine fuel specifications. The discussion document is available at the link below.

Have your say: Updating New Zealand’s engine fuel specifications to ensure they are fit-for-purpose

Following the 2025 consultation, Cabinet made policy decisions on fuel specification changes. However, the Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations 2011 have yet to be amended to reflect those decisions. The implementation dates for those changes are to be confirmed.

2016/17 updates to fuel specifications

Documents relating to the previous amendments to the regulations in 2016/17.

Cabinet paper: Updating New Zealand’s engine fuel specifications [PDF, 225 KB]

Guidance on Engine Fuel Specification Amendment Regulations 2026

The Engine Fuel Specification Amendment Regulations 2026 (the “Amendment Regulations”), which came into force on 31 March 2026, amend the Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations 2011. The effect of the amendments is to enable certain types of engine fuel (specifically, petrol, fuel ethanol E85, diesel, and biodiesel) to be supplied or made available for supply in New Zealand if they meet alternative specifications that are equivalent to the specifications for those types of fuels in Australia. A notable exception is that the alternative specifications retain the existing New Zealand limit in relation to sulphur.

The alternative specifications are included in such a way that it is sufficient if the relevant engine fuel meets either the existing (New Zealand) specifications or the temporary alternative specifications. It is not a requirement for engine fuel to meet both.

The amendments will be automatically revoked after 1 year, on 30 March 2027, unless revoked earlier. Transitional arrangements are included to ensure that engine fuel ordered before the revocation date will still be able to be supplied or made available for supply in New Zealand after that date (provided that it is delivered to a bulk storage facility in New Zealand within 6 months after the date of the order). In other respects, after the amendments are revoked, engine fuel will once again need to meet the existing (New Zealand) specifications.

What is the overall intent with adding the temporary alternative specifications?

The amendment regulations temporarily expand the range of fuels that can be supplied to New Zealand. These amendment regulations give importers a choice of New Zealand or Australian-spec fuel, increasing options in a supply-constrained environment.

Can importers supply fuel that meets a mix of New Zealand and Australian specifications?

Yes. Fuel may be imported and supplied if it complies with the requirements of either: 

• the current New Zealand specifications, or
• the temporary alternative (Australian based) specifications.

This means a fuel may have a combination of properties, where some properties meet New Zealand specification limits and others meet temporary alternative specification limits, provided that each relevant property meets at least one of those two sets of requirements.

Does adopting the Australian-spec fuel risk damage to vehicles or harm to human health or the environment?

No. The Australian specs are almost identical to New Zealand’s. Furthermore, the Regulations require that petrol, diesel and marine fuel oil must still be ‘fit for common purposes’ for retail sale. Regardless of what fuel specification fuel companies choose, petrol, diesel and marine fuel oil still have to work safely and reliability for normal, everyday use.

Is there any change to the sulphur limit?

No, the temporary alternative specifications maintain New Zealand’s sulphur content in petrol, diesel, and diesel blends at 10 ppm, without any changes.

What exemptions apply under the temporary alternative specifications?

The Amendment Regulations include specific exemptions from certain New Zealand requirements when fuel is supplied under the temporary alternative (Australian based) specifications. These exemptions are intended to simplify fuel supply.

Key exemptions include:

• Certain requirements for corrosion inhibitors and co-solvents in certain petrol and petrol blends do not apply (the requirements normally set out in regulations 8(2), 8A(2), 14(1), and 14A(2) of the Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations 2011).
• Adjustments for biodiesel blends regarding viscosity, cetane number, acid value, and water content referring to regulation 18 – reg 17AA(3)(ii), and 17AA(4)(b)(ii).

Are there any changes to the requirement on cold flow properties?

Cold flow properties for diesel (such as Cloud Point and Cold Filter Plugging Point) are listed in New Zealand's regulations but not in the temporary alternative specifications.

Fuel companies are required to ensure that fuel is ‘fit for common purposes’ even where certain properties are not explicitly stipulated in the temporary alternative specifications. This means fuel companies are still responsible for ensuring any diesel they supply works properly in everyday use, including in cold conditions.

MBIE will continue to monitor these properties, particularly during winter.

The temporary alternative specifications do not include petrol evaporation properties. What should fuel importers and suppliers consider in this regard?

Fuel companies are not required by the temporary alternative specifications to consider petrol evaporation properties. However, fuel must be ‘fit for common purpose’ and fuel companies must determine the criticality of the property and disclose to the consumers the potential impact it may have.

Are there properties that have more restrictive specifications due to the introduced temporary alternative specifications?

No, in all cases, the less restrictive limit will apply.

There is no vapour pressure in the temporary alternative specifications. What about volatility properties of petrol?

Volatility is explicitly specified in the New Zealand specs for petrol in Schedule 1.

In Australia, volatility is regulated by the state EPA and is not set out in the Australian Determination. However, Australian-spec petrol will mainly have low values of maximum vapour pressure, which are usually below the figures specified, such as for Auckland and Northland.

Trading Standards recommends the industry checks volatility for their batches to ensure it is suitable for New Zealand conditions. Fuel must be ‘fit for common purposes’.