Fuel supply disruption response
MBIE is actively assessing the fuel security situation for New Zealand following the recent events in the Middle East.
On this page I tēnei whārangi
Latest fuel stocks update
MBIE publishes the latest information on current fuel stocks every Monday and Wednesday afternoon. Fuel supply remains within normal levels.
What you need to know
- We are currently in phase 1.
- Fuel supply is currently stable, and our stocks remain sufficient.
- There is no need to change how you purchase fuel. Sticking to your usual habits helps keep the system running smoothly for everyone.
- New Zealand has clear, proven arrangements for managing disruptions. The Government has put a Fuel Response Plan 2026 in place so it can act early and deliberately, based on evidence, across a range of possible scenarios.
- Introducing fuel rationing or restrictions before there is clear evidence of a genuine shortage won’t create more fuel in the system. New Zealand doesn’t have large storage capacity beyond the minimum stockholding requirements, so we rely on regular shipments to keep supply steady. Bringing in restrictions too early can disrupt normal operations and make it harder to keep fuel flowing to essential services when it really matters.
- While there are currently no disruptions to our fuel supply that require changes to how we buy fuels, the price of petrol and diesel is expected to continue to climb in the coming weeks. Businesses should plan ahead for higher fuel costs in ways that make sense for their operations, employees, and customers.
In this section I tēnei wāhanga
Fuel security
New Zealand has well established arrangements for identifying and responding to international fuel disruptions.
Response 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.
Critical supply chains
New Zealand relies on a range of critical supply chains to support economic activity, essential services, and the wellbeing of households and businesses.
Last updated: 21 April 2026