13968 (2026). Hon Dr Megan Woods to the Associate Minister for Energy

Written Question
Published date: 06 May 2026
13968 (2026). Hon Dr Megan Woods to the Associate Minister for Energy: What risk assessment, if any, accompanied the decision not to proceed with government procurement of reserve diesel in 2024?
Hon Shane Jones: As procuring additional reserve diesel carried significant capital costs that were unfunded, Cabinet wanted a robust understanding of options and their impacts before making decisions. No specific 'risk assessment' was undertaken with the decision to not proceed with the previous government's proposal, noting it had no existing capital funding and no sustainable operating funding. The Government completed a comprehensive Fuel Security Study in 2025, which can be found here: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/building-and-energy/energy-and-natural-resources/energy-generation-and-markets/liquid-fuel-market/fuel-security-in-new-zealand