8742 (2026). Hon Barbara Edmonds to the Associate Minister for Energy

8742 (2026). Hon Barbara Edmonds to the Associate Minister for Energy: What is the current size of New Zealand's strategic fuel reserves, if any, and are they adequate to buffer a short-term supply disruption?

Hon Shane Jones: The Government’s minimum stock obligation (MSO), introduced in 2025, acts as a strategic reserve of fuel to safeguard domestic supply during disruptions. Minimum mandated levels are: 28 days of petrol, 21 days of diesel and 24 days of jet fuel to be held in tanks in our country and ships in our EEZ. These reserves are in addition to fuel held in service stations and in vehicles. New Zealand also has an IEA treaty obligation to hold 90 days of net oil stocks. We currently meet roughly half of this obligation with physical stock held in New Zealand. We also hold oil tickets, which are contract options to purchase oil stock from overseas suppliers. The MSO strengthens domestic fuel security and contributes to New Zealand’s 90-day IEA requirement. Our MSO forms part of the overall IEA 90-day compliance picture. New Zealand’s fuel stocks are healthy. As of 11:59pm, Wednesday 18 March, the industry confirmed the current stock level as: • 27.4 days’ cover of petrol, 21 days’ cover of diesel and 21.4 days’ jet fuel in-country. • 22.4 days’ cover of petrol, 24.5 days’ cover of diesel and 23.3 days’ jet fuel in-water (in ships on their way to New Zealand). There are a further 12 ships arriving between now and 8 April, carrying 22 days of petrol, 14 days of diesel and 13 days of jet fuel. We have asked our fuel importers to tell us immediately if they’re encountering any problems with shipments. They have not indicated any problems. The Government will be receiving updated figures from fuel companies on Tuesdays and Fridays and will be publishing them on Mondays and Wednesdays.