A breakdown on todays Fuel Crisis Stories by Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com
No official supply figures were released today, but the Government maintains that New Zealand remains in Phase 1 of its National Fuel Plan, meaning no formal rationing yet—though all sectors are signalling escalating pressure.
PPTA says schools cannot remain open without urgent intervention as fuel costs climb and travel becomes increasingly unaffordable for teachers and families.
- The Government insists it wants to avoid a return to online learning, but PPTA says that’s unrealistic without “hard data and hard support.”
- PPTA is urgently surveying 21,000 teachers to understand travel distances, costs, and the likelihood of staff being unable to reach schools.
- Census data shows 44% of students rely on cars to get to school—making rising fuel costs a direct threat to attendance.
Bottom line: Schools are bracing for disruption, and the Ministry of Education will soon face pressure to fund mileage, transport, or alternative arrangements.
Sole Traders Turning Down Work as Fuel Costs Bite Hard
New data from Hnry shows the crisis is reshaping how 400,000 sole traders operate:
- Business trips claiming fuel/mileage have dropped 30% in a month.
- Total distance travelled has fallen 50%.
- Tradies’ average fuel transaction has dropped from $81.03 to $62.29, indicating smaller top-ups or staying closer to home.
- Some are leaving trailers on-site to reduce fuel burn; others are cutting supplier trips entirely.
- Hnry warns that sole traders have no buffer, no fuel cards, and no procurement teams—meaning they feel the shock first and hardest.
Bottom line: Work is being declined, travel zones are shrinking, and communities relying on local trades are already feeling the impact.
Home Support Workers to Rally Nationwide — “April Fuels Day”
Home support workers—among the lowest-paid in the country—say they can no longer afford to drive between clients.
- Workers will rally on 1 April in cities including Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Cambridge, Nelson, and Timaru.
- They’ll bring scooters, wheelbarrows, and toy cars to highlight the absurdity of current mileage rates.
- PSA says workers are choosing between feeding their families or fuelling their cars.
- Legal action has been filed alleging Health NZ is unlawfully requiring workers to cover vehicle costs for essential travel.
Bottom line: The care sector is at breaking point, and the Government is under pressure to immediately raise mileage allowances.
ASB Economic Forecast: Fuel Shock to Delay NZ’s Recovery Until 2027
ASB’s latest quarterly forecast paints a stark picture:
- The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed global oil prices sharply higher.
- ASB has cut 2026 GDP growth forecasts by 1.6 percentage points.
- Inflation is expected to rise to around 4% by mid‑2026, driven by fuel, freight, and airfares.
- The recovery previously expected in 2026 is now unlikely before 2027.
- Households, tourism, and business investment will all take hits as fuel costs ripple through the economy.
Bottom line: The fuel crisis isn’t just a transport issue—it’s now a macroeconomic shock.
TODAY’S SUPPLY STATUS
No new supply figures were released today.
However, the Government says:
- NZ remains in Phase 1 of the National Fuel Plan (no restrictions).
- Fuel companies are cooperating with officials.
- NZ has sufficient stocks for now, but future supply is uncertain due to global instability. RNZ
Key triggers that could push NZ into Phase 2 or higher:
- Export restrictions from overseas refineries
- Drops of 3+ days in national fuel stock levels
- Fuel companies unable to fill future orders
- Breaches of minimum storage obligations
- Major policy shifts in Australia or the IEA
CVNZ News Takeaway
New Zealand is still officially “fine” on fuel supply—but every frontline sector is now signalling strain:
- Schools: risk of closures without support
- Sole traders: cutting travel, turning down work
- Home support workers: nationwide protests
- Economy: recovery delayed, inflation rising
- Government: preparing for rationing if global supply worsens
