\u201cMovements remain within expectations and show normal patterns.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finance Minister Nicola Willis today said she was seeing \u201cnormal flow of fuel\u201d into the country.<\/p>\n
She said fuel retailers continued to report no material issues with fuel shipments.<\/p>\n
Willis acknowledged the impact the increases in fuel costs were having on Kiwis, calling for a de-escalation of the Middle East conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a tough time for the country,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Middle East conflict with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused global oil prices to skyrocket amid concerns over supply.<\/p>\n
To deal with the potential impact of a shortage in supply, the Government unveiled a Covid-style fuel level alert system.<\/p>\n
The country remains at phase 1 of the plan, with a focus on monitoring global developments, easing restrictions (such as changing fuel specifications), providing information to consumers on measures to support voluntary reductions in fuel use, and working with fuel companies to keep it moving efficiently across the country.<\/p>\n
At phase 2 of the plan, there would be a \u201cmoderate\u201d impact on the fuel sector, and \u201ccritical customer prioritisation measures\u201d are invoked.<\/p>\n
At this level, customers would still be able to get fuel, but there is a \u201crisk of shortages to critical fuel customers\u201d. <\/p>\n
Last month, low-cost fuel retailer Gull experienced shortages of fuel at some of its Auckland petrol stations.<\/p>\n