Fuel security
This information explains how fuel gets to New Zealand, how it is stored and distributed, and how government and industry work together to manage fuel security during international disruptions.
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New Zealand is closely monitoring fuel supply as the conflict in the Middle East continues to place pressure on global fuel markets.
Disruption to major shipping routes can result in longer voyages, vessel delays and changes in supply patterns. As an importing nation, New Zealand can be exposed to these global pressures, particularly through higher fuel prices.
At this stage, New Zealand is not experiencing sustained, direct supply impacts that would affect everyday access to fuel. Monitoring and planning are underway to ensure the system remains resilient if international conditions change.
What’s happening now
- Fuel continues to flow normally into New Zealand.
- Importers are actively managing their supply chains.
- Global pressures are contributing to higher fuel prices, which are flowing through to consumers and businesses.
New Zealand has successfully managed international fuel disruptions before. With strong planning, close coordination across the system and ongoing international partnerships, the country is well placed to respond if conditions deteriorate.
How New Zealand’s fuel supply system works
How fuel is imported
New Zealand relies on the private sector to import and distribute refined fuel, including petrol, diesel and jet fuel.
5 fuel companies import fuel into New Zealand:
- BP
- Gull
- Mobil
- Timaru Oil Services
- Z Energy
In 2025, more than 90% of New Zealand’s fuel was imported from 4 Asian countries:
- South Korea (51%)
- Singapore (31%)
- Malaysia (9%)
- Japan (3%)
Fuel is supplied through a continuous shipping system, rather than single, fixed deliveries. Cargoes are planned and adjusted based on refinery operations, shipping availability, weather conditions and international market factors.
Sourcing fuel from multiple countries and refineries provides flexibility and helps fuel companies respond to global disruptions.
Where fuel is stored
Once fuel arrives in New Zealand, it is unloaded into large bulk storage tanks at ports and fuel terminals around the country.
New Zealand has approximately 1,053 million litres (ML) of bulk storage capacity:
- 434ML diesel
- 198ML jet fuel
- 420ML petrol
Storage is spread across multiple regions, including Northland, Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury. This reduces the risk of a single local or regional disruption affecting national supply.
Fuel tanks are continuously filled and drawn down, similar to a vehicle fuel tank, rather than remaining permanently full. Fuel companies manage their storage to ensure fuel can be received from ships and supplied between deliveries.
From 1 January 2025, fuel importers must meet minimum stockholding obligations, holding fuel either onshore or within New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Current minimum requirements are:
- Petrol: 28 days
- Diesel: 21 days
- Jet fuel: 24 days
These minimums are based on typical national fuel use and are designed to ensure a baseline level of fuel availability if international supply is delayed.
How fuel is distributed
Fuel is distributed from bulk storage terminals using a combination of:
- Pipelines
- Road tankers
This flexible network allows fuel to be redirected between regions if needed, helping maintain supply even when transport routes or ports are temporarily disrupted.
Service stations and commercial users hold fuel onsite for day to day supply. During periods of very high demand, some service stations may temporarily run low while deliveries catch up. This reflects local distribution constraints and does not mean there is a national fuel shortage.
Fuel specifications and supply flexibility
Fuel supplied in New Zealand must meet fuel specifications, which set minimum technical and environmental requirements for petrol, diesel and other transport fuels.
To improve supply flexibility, the Government has temporarily aligned New Zealand’s fuel specifications with Australia’s. This allows fuel refined to Australian standards to be supplied in New Zealand, giving importers access to a wider range of shipments and reducing the risk of disruption caused by minor technical differences.
Australian spec fuel is compatible with New Zealand vehicles and meets safety and quality requirements. Sulphur limits have not been relaxed at this stage, but this remains under review if further flexibility is needed.
This measure is time limited and may remain in place for up to 12 months while global fuel markets remain uncertain.
Government widens fuel supply options(external link) — Beehive.govt
Monitoring and staying informed
MBIE remains in regular contact with fuel companies and closely monitors:
- Fuel stocks
- Shipping movements
- Infrastructure
- International market conditions
If there are material changes that could affect fuel availability in New Zealand, further public updates will be provided, including what it means for households and businesses.
Higher fuel costs can affect day to day expenses, transport and travel. Businesses are encouraged to consider how these costs affect their operations and plan in ways that make sense for them, rather than having to react at short notice.