Response phases

New Zealand has well established arrangements for identifying and responding to international fuel disruptions.

The Government has released updates to the National Fuel Plan to respond to fuel supply uncertainty driven by the conflict in the Middle East. Having a plan in place gives Government the ability to act with confidence and clarity, making evidence‑based decisions rather than reacting under pressure.

The Fuel Response Plan 2026 outlines 4 clear phases that respond proportionately to the risks to New Zealand’s fuel security. These phases are assessed separately for petrol, diesel and jet fuel to reflect their different functions and challenges.

At each phase is a set of measures that would be taken in response to escalating risks to New Zealand’s fuel security.

Phase 1: Watchful

What’s happening

The fuel market is operating effectively and fuel is available nationwide. However, prices are rising due to global market changes.

This phase is about supporting the market and making sure Kiwis have good information.

What the Government will do

• Monitor fuel stocks and shipments
• Publish twice-weekly stock updates
• Monitor global supply and maintain engagement with international partners
• Coordinate closely with industry players to ensure markets continue to work well
• Understand and prepare to reduce its own demand
• Provide information to the public, including on how to reduce fuel bills

What you can do

• Access fuel as you normally would 
• Regularly check MBIE’s website
• Be aware of EECA’s information on fuel-saving measures 

Phase 2: Precautionary

What’s happening

The market continues to operate effectively and fuel is available nationwide, but there are signs of significant supply disruptions.

This phase is about shoring up supply, closer coordination between Government and industry, and managing demand.

What the Government will do

• Continue to monitor fuel stocks and shipments, and publish twice-weekly stock updates
• Work with international partners to keep fuel flowing to New Zealand 
• Coordinate closely with key industry players to ensure fuel is effectively distributed
• Review regulations to enable reduced fuel use
• Implement a public sector fuel response plan 
• Provide information to the public on how to reduce fuel bills and conserve fuel in the national interest

What you can do

• Access fuel as you normally would
• Consider combining trips, and/or other modes 
• Regularly check MBIE’s website
• Follow EECA guidance on additional measures to help save fuel day-to-day

Phase 3: Managed (Under consultation)

What’s happening

Supply is tighter and the Government is making sure fuel gets where it is needed most.

This phase uses Government powers, implemented by industry, to protect critical services. Measures will be lifted as soon as conditions allow.

What the Government may do

• Prioritise uninterrupted supply to life-preserving services, and help direct fuel supply to others according to priority, for example via purchasing limits
• Provide regular public updates, listen to industry and communities, and adjust accordingly
• Regularly assess how things are going, and get back to Phase 2 as soon as possible

What you can do

• Be confident that ambulances, fire services, hospitals, and food supply chains are covered
• Follow any purchase limits
• Check the daily update to understand how long measures will be in place

Phase 4: Protected (Under consultation)

What’s happening

There is a bigger or sustained supply disruption, and there are formal rules to ensure fuel is distributed fairly.

This phase is about protecting critical services, and making sure everyone else gets a share. Measures will be lifted as soon as conditions allow.

What the Government may do

• Prioritise uninterrupted supply to all life-preserving services, and more strictly direct how fuel is distributed to other customers
• Maintain daily public updates, listen to industry and communities, and adjust as appropriate
• Regularly assess progress, and get back to Phase 2/3 as soon as possible

What you can do

• Know that essential services like food supply and emergency response are fully protected
• Use service stations as directed
• Check the daily update

The criteria that would lead to a move between Phases

The Fuel Security Ministerial Oversight Group will be responsible for deciding whether a shift between phases is appropriate, with the group required to consider a move when there is a change in any of the 6 assessment criteria. These criteria will be used to assess a movement up or down a response phase.

The Government has agreed 6 assessment criteria that would lead to a Ministerial assessment meeting: 

• export restrictions: If any of our source refineries introduce or relax export restrictions 
• fuel stock levels plus or minus 3 days since the last published update  
• a fuel company informs the government that they are unlikely to fill future orders
• a breach, or a notification of an imminent breach, of the minimum storage obligations
• any significant policy changes in Australia or the International Energy Agency 
• a significant disruption to regional distribution.

Phases can be applied separately to petrol, diesel, and jet fuel if required. Fuel types can be assessed separately.

Any movement between phases will be decided by Ministers, based on a range of advice around these factors. There are no automatic triggers. Ministers will assess the full picture each time and will publicly explain any decision to change phases. 

At every phase, the Government will continue to publish regular updates so households, businesses, and critical services know what is happening and what to expect.

Priority bands

Work continues on Phases 3 and 4

The Government is working up detail with industry and key frontline services to determine how Phases 3 and 4 will be implemented. There will be priority bands, and we will continue to work closely with industry on how allocation of fuel would be managed.

The indicative bands of customers, all of which need to be further tested and developed before finalisation, in order of prioritisation, are:

• Band A: life-supporting services – uncapped supply – e.g. emergency services, courts, corrections, hospitals, lifeline utilities and defence
• Band B: economically important services – e.g. critical transport services (e.g.
  road freight for supermarket and grocery supply chains, international air links), food supply and primary production during time-critical periods
• Band C: essential services – e.g. public transport, essential infrastructure maintenance, and rural GPs and district nurses
• Band D: other commercial customers – this comprises all other commercial and business fuel uses
• Band E: general retail sales to consumers.