New Zealand's Fuel Crisis Deepens Prison Staffing Shortages, Corrections Union Warns
New Zealand's Corrections Association says the country's deepening fuel crisis is making it harder for prison guards to commute, worsening already chronic staffing shortages. The union is calling for an urgent government support package.
Speaking to RNZ, union chair Floyd du Plessis said some prisons are losing as many as six guards per shift due to commuting difficulties. Facilities in Ngawha, south of Auckland, and the Otago region are reportedly the worst hit.
Global fuel supply shocks driven by the Iran war have lifted New Zealand pump prices by 24 percent over the past three weeks. The government has confirmed it is evaluating a fuel subsidy for public-sector employees.
Shares in fuel retailers Z Energy and Channel Infrastructure closed lower on the NZX. Investors are watching closely how any new government support package may affect sector margins.
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