Fuel security in New Zealand
Our fuel supply resilience remains critical to business operations across the economy and to social connections. The Government works closely with the fuel sector to ensure the fuel supply chain in New Zealand can manage domestic or international disruptions.
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Liquid fuels like petrol, diesel and jet fuel are essential for industry, business, and New Zealanders’ day-to-day activities. The Government regularly commissions reviews of the fuel system to ensure we remain aware of any risks and can improve the security of our national engine fuel supply, for as long as it remains critical to our economy and wellbeing.
Although the likelihood is very low, a significant disruption to our fuel supply would affect all sectors and could cost the economy hundreds of millions to billions of dollars. It could also result in fuel shortages or price hikes. It’s critical the Government has clear oversight of risks and our fuel supply, and there is a contingency supply of fuel reserves onshore.
We're in regular contact with the fuel sector and work with them to ensure appropriate policies and measures are in place to reduce the impact of international and domestic oil supply disruptions.
Fuel Security Plan
The Fuel Security Plan sets out the Government’s medium- to long-term strategy to make New Zealand’s fuel system more resilient and secure. It builds on the findings from the 2025 Fuel Security Study.
The Government consulted with the public on the draft Fuel Security Plan from July-August 2025.
The Fuel Security Plan is a commitment in the New Zealand First-National Coalition Agreement to safeguard transport and logistics systems and emergency services from any international or domestic disruption to fuel supply.
Fuel Security Study 2025
A secure and resilient supply of engine fuels is critical to our economy as a severe and sustained disruption would impact industry and cause hardship to New Zealanders. The closure of the Marsden Point oil refinery in 2022 changed the nature of risks to New Zealand’s security of engine fuel supply. The Fuel Security Study provides an up-to-date assessment of New Zealand’s fuel security requirements.
The study sets out the vulnerabilities in our supply chain, impacts of potential disruptions to consumers and the economy, and lists a range of mitigation options.
The report on Reestablishing Marsden Point refinery was done as a part of the fuel security study and investigated the costs and benefits of reestablishing the oil refinery.
This work fed into the development of the Fuel Security Plan, released in 2025.
MBIE commissioned the reports from consultants, Envisory and Castalia, in 2024-25. Both reports were peer reviewed by Beca Ltd.
Fuel Security Study - Interim report reestablishing the Marsden Point refinery [PDF 2MB]
Fuel resiliency policy package 2022
In 2022, the Government announced a policy package to improve New Zealand’s fuel supply resilience and economic security. This includes: