Even though there is sufficient fuel in the country right now, these sharp increases are happening because fuel companies are setting prices based on what it costs them to replenish their fuel stocks. The war is pushing those costs up. The Commerce Commission is watching fuel companies closely to ensure they are not using this situation to overcharge.
We believe the situation is serious enough that Government support for Kiwis is necessary. However, support will be disciplined and targeted to people in the most need.
There is no “magic money tree”. Every decision we make now carries longer-term consequences. Every dollar we spend must be paid back over time. Getting that spending wrong now would lock in more cost pressure for years to come. Ultimately, the people paying are Kiwis who have already been through enough.
So in providing relief, we will not be repeating the same cycle of higher debt and higher inflation that resulted from large-scale government spending during Covid.
We are now working quickly but carefully to provide timely, targeted and temporary relief to Kiwis who need it most. We will have more to say about relief soon.
What we can say today though is that relief is unlikely to include a reduction in fuel excise tax. That’s because cutting fuel excise tax would apply to everyone who fills up at the pump, regardless of whether they are the most in need of help.
Fuel Supply
New Zealand has enough fuel for at least the next seven weeks. The Government is maintaining a close eye on the situation.
We are actively:
- Working with the fuel industry to plan for inevitable future fuel supply disruptions.
- Working with other countries to secure supply.
- Looking at temporarily lowering fuel quality standards.
Well we’re officially in autumn, the weather is settling down and the flu is going around. I hope everyone is taking care of themselves because the year is only getting busier.
This month has been just as full on as the last but with another recess week, I have been out and about around the electorate, visiting and celebrating with the people that matter most. You guys!
What do ACC and Commerce have in common ...... Minister Scott Simpson
This week we’ve had the pleasure of hosting Minister Scott Simpson in Gisborne. On Tuesday we had a very productive meeting with Gisborne Chamber of Commerce talking small business concerns and ideas and caught up with the wonderful team at ACC. It is so important to keep up with the people at the core of our communities and Tairawhiti has so much to offer. We need strong leadership and inspiring ideas to help our city prosper, making it a great place to live and invest in.
SH35 reopening
There’s been some really positive progress on State Highway 35 over the past couple of weeks, with night closures now lifted and the road back open 24/7. This comes aThe government is committed to keeping you up to date with information as we get it. BeehivePRfter a huge effort from crews working since late January to clear major slips and repair damage caused by severe weather. In total, around 25,000 cubic meters of material has been removed, along with drainage improvements and resurfacing to get things moving again. There’s still work to be done, including strengthening areas like Waikura, so drivers do need to take care, especially with ongoing worksites and reduced speeds, but it’s a big step forward for reconnecting our East Coast communities. Read more
This week I was also honoured to be at the opening of the Oravida Water Company solar project in Otakiri. It was great to see the company partnering with iwi Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau, Ngati Awa and Ngati Rangitihi as well as Whakatane District Council and Kiwi Solar to provide the first ever renewable energy solution in the beverage sector. It was a fantastic day celebrating sustainability. We are so proud to have top notch representation of our homes water all over the country and the world.
Local decision making for health in our community
There’s also a big change coming to the health system from 1 July, focused on bringing decision-making back to our home court. We’ve been hearing loud and clear from frontline staff right across regions like the East Coast that the system works best when decisions are made closer to patients and the people delivering care. These changes will give local hospitals and health services more say over staffing, budgets, and how services are run, making it easier to respond quickly, recruit where needed, and better meet the needs of our communities. For rural areas especially, that flexibility is key, and it’s about making sure healthcare decisions reflect what’s actually happening on the ground here, not just what’s decided from a distance. Read more.
1. GDP data shows a growing economy: Economic data released today confirms. The conflict will have an impact on the economy, but we are starting from a much stronger position now than was the case in the past few years, when high inflation and high interest rates were weighing down on people. (Beehive PR)
2. Takitimu North Link Stage 2 Fast-tracked: A major transport upgrade for the Western Bay of Plenty has received Fast-track approval – part of our plan to building a long-term pipeline of transport infrastructure investments to redress New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit and build jobs and growth for Kiwis. (Beehive PR)
3. Final data shows Term 4 attendance continues to rise: Data shows in Term 4 2025, 57.3 per cent of students attended school regularly. A student attends school regularly when they are in class for 90 per cent of the term. This was an increase from 56.4 per cent in Term 4 2024. (Beehive PR)
4. Rock NZ: Robbie Williams goes global for Kiwis: Robbie Williams is bringing his BRITPOP world tour to Auckland and Christchurch this November, thanks to support from the Government’s $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package. (Beehive PR
