The New Zealand government is taking steps to strengthen the country’s fuel resilience to protect against potential disruptions, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones announced.
Recognising the country’s vulnerability as a nation that imports almost all of its engine fuels, Jones said it was important to ensure fuel security to safeguard the economy and keep essential services running smoothly.
Current fuel stockholding requirements mandate that, starting January 2025, fuel importers must maintain a minimum reserve of 28 days for petrol, 24 days for jet fuel, and 21 days for diesel.
However, Jones expressed concerns that the existing diesel and jet fuel reserves are insufficient, citing diesel’s critical role in transporting goods and people across the country.
He is seeking feedback on increasing diesel reserves to 28 days and plans to introduce regulations mandating jet fuel companies to hold adequate stocks near Auckland Airport.
These measures aim to prevent disruptions like those seen during the 2017 jet fuel shortage, which caused international flight diversions. Jones also highlighted the government’s commitment to bolstering New Zealand’s energy security by lifting the ban on oil and gas exploration.
Read the discussion document on increasing diesel reserves from 21 to 28 days and have your say here. Consultation closes on December 6.
Image credit: Ave Calvar
One arm of the state creates a problem, the other arm of the state attempts a solution, but the people are always left worst off. Rinse, repeat.
How is this the govt boosting fuel reserves, its them simply putting the cost onto business.
Are we stuffed when a War breaks out, you bet you we are. You can thank JA and the ongoing crew that haven’t left.
Reserves can be eliminated with sabotage, air strikes, etc.
Despite the vulnerabilities, Marsden Point needs to be modernised and re-opened, and proper defence methods employed to protect the refinery.
If Shane Jones actually researched the ‘natural gas and oil’ availability via drilling, he would see that NZ has 190 years of oil and 450 years of natural gas.
If Shane Jones wanted to help lower the cost of living due to high petrol pricing, he would demand that Parliament get to work on a government subsidised mandate to convert petrol vehicles over to LPG / LNG, (LNG preferred) and that gasoline/petrol be produced for secondary applications.
Diesel and Jet Fuel would also be re-prioritised, with a new direct flex-joint pipeline going to Auckland Airport.
The lies that the Green Communist Party of NZ spew out with regards to the ‘environment’ is but a group of brainwashed individuals who unconscienciously have signed-on to global euthanasia via no electricity, minimal food (Holodomor…) and restrictions of movement via their :15 Minute Monitored Cities that house the UBI Useless Eaters until the death squads can arrive at their human dog kennels to take them off for ‘one last day trip’…!
A economy relies on cheap energy, for decades politicians have denied the existence of our oil and gas reserves , we could be the Saudi Arabia of the south, they would rather control us through expensive energy.
If war breaks out in the Middle East we are screwed