Australia-Pacific

Should NZ follow Australia's lead and increase fuel reserves? AA says no

New Zealand holds about a month's supply of petrol and jet fuel. As a new bulk fuel reserve is set to arrive in Australia, debate is growing over whether New Zealand should follow suit to protect its own access.

Exterior view of industrial fuel storage tanks
Exterior view of industrial fuel storage tanksPhoto: Jan van der Wolf / Pexels
RNZ Business5 h ago

New Zealand's energy security strategy has come back into focus. The country currently holds roughly a month's supply of petrol and jet fuel, a margin some experts consider fragile.

The fact that neighboring Australia is about to bring a large bulk fuel reserve online has raised the question of whether New Zealand should take a similar step. But the AA, which represents motorists, argues such an investment is not necessary.

AA officials say existing supply chains and import channels already provide sufficient flexibility. The government has not yet completed a formal policy review on the matter.

EnergyAustralia-PacificRNZ Business
This article is an AI-curated summary of the original story published by RNZ Business. The illustration is a stock photo by Jan van der Wolf from Pexels and is not from the original story.

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