The Government is preparing to remove or suspend regulatory barriers to help ease the burden of the fuel crisis.

Regulation Minister David Seymour and Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the Government, after seeking public feedback, is refining some vehicle regulations that make it harder for businesses and communities to cope with global fuel shocks.

Among the regulatory barriers the Government is looking at are allowing some heavy vehicles to carry more weight per trip to improve fuel efficiency, easing weight thresholds for zero-emission vehicles, and relaxing time and access restrictions for over-dimension vehicles.

All options are being developed to be implemented quickly if the Government moves to Phase 2 of its National Fuel Response Plan and are expected to be ready by the end of this month, if needed.

“New Zealand’s fuel supply is stable. We’re focused on keeping it that way. There are few things as important to Kiwis as ensuring New Zealand’s fuel supply remains strong,” Seymour said.

“This Government has responded well to the potential of conflict in the Middle East leading to fuel shortages. To build on our response, this Government is listening to the people. The situation in the Middle East affects everyone.”

Seymour said everyone should have a say on potential edicts issued by the Government that would affect them.

“Last month, we called for businesses, fuel users, freight operators and the wider public to report any regulatory barriers that might be hindering our response to global fuel uncertainty to the Red Tape Tipline.

“We are still in Phase 1 of the National Fuel Response Plan, but we don’t want a repeat of the Covid-19 lockdowns. Doing the work to boost fuel efficiency now helps ensure we can stay in Phase 1 for as long as possible, causing the least disruption to Kiwis.”

Bishop said the Government is “getting ahead of the problem now”.

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“One of the consistent messages from the freight sector is that current weight restrictions – formally known as the vehicle dimensions and mass (VDAM) rule – are holding back efficiency.

“In the short term, even small increases in permitted loads could reduce the number of trips needed, saving time, lowering costs and reducing fuel use.

“We need to balance that with safety and network impacts, but there are sensible changes we can make that will lift productivity without compromising standards.

“Fuel prices are already putting pressure on households and businesses, which is why this work matters. Getting ahead of the problem now helps reduce the impact if global conditions worsen.”

Submissions from the public that the Government is refining include:

• Allowing some heavy vehicles to carry more weight per trip, so fewer trips are required, improving fuel efficiency.
• Bringing some licence class weight thresholds for zero-emission vehicles in line with similar diesel vehicles. For example, some electric utes are heavier than diesel ones, pushing them into a different weight threshold. This means people need a higher-class licence to drive them, which prevents uptake.
• Relaxing time and access restrictions for over-dimension vehicles, enabling travel during off-peak time, shorter trips and fuel savings.
• Removing some restrictions on the routes that over-dimension vehicles can make and when they can travel. For example, there are sections of Auckland motorways and toll roads they are not able to use, meaning more fuel is burnt travelling less direct routes.

Latest fuel numbers

It comes as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) today released the country’s latest fuel stock data, with a slight decrease across all fuel types since the previous update.

As of April 22, 51.8 days of petrol, 41.3 days of diesel and 45.7 days of jet fuel were either in the country or on the way.

Petrol has decreased by 0.4 days, diesel has decreased by one day and jet fuel has decreased by 1.7 days.

The latest fuel stocks update with figures as of April 22. Graph / MBIE

MBIE said “total national fuel stocks continue to be sufficient across petrol, diesel and jet fuel, and remain within normal operating ranges”.

“Although total diesel stocks are lower, diesel held in New Zealand and within the Exclusive Economic Zone is at its highest level since the Middle East conflict began.

“These fluctuations are typical of normal international shipping operations. Overall movements remain within expected ranges and show normal patterns.

“There is no indication of fuel supply disruption, and fuel continues to flow into New Zealand.”