New Zealand has more diesel stocks than thought yesterday, according to clarified data published by MBIE on Thursday.

It comes after data published on Wednesday showed just 18.1 days’ worth of diesel in the country at the moment with just a small amount coming into the country before Easter, which would have left New Zealand with just over 11 days’ worth of diesel by Easter Sunday. The stocks were accurate as of midnight on Sunday.

MBIE’s updated fuel stocks show that New Zealand has 46.4 days’ cover of diesel here or coming in the period up to April 12.

If ordinary patterns of consumption persist, that would mean stocks would fall to 25.4 days’ cover ofdiesel by April 12, the week after Easter.

Overall, New Zealand has about two more days’ cover of all fuels than the data showed yesterday, with a combined stock of 48.6 days’.

The clarification MBIE has made is to include an additional column showing ships that are “discharging” fuel in New Zealand.

MBIE’s latest data shows that there are currently six ships discharging fuel in New Zealand’s ports, carrying 19.8 days’ cover of petrol, 11.6 days of diesel, and 11.7 days of jet fuel.

These stocks had been included in the “on water” column yesterday, but not listed as being held by ships visiting New Zealand in the next fortnight, causing many to conclude the fuel was on its way, but would arrive sometime after Easter when in fact it was already here.

Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen, who spotted the apparent diesel shortage said it was “encouraging” the data was clarified.

“There’s now an extra nearly 16 days’ worth [of diesel] that is either currently being discharged or coming in before the 29th of March - that is a pretty significant difference,” he said.

“We’re not nearly as worried as we were this time yesterday about the potential crunch particularly on diesel,” Olsen said.

MBIE also clarified the arrival times of ships. On Wednesday, one ship was said to be arriving March 23-29. This ship has now arrived and is discharging.

A new ship has been added to the row arriving March 23-29. This ship was previously expected to arrive prior to the 23rd, but as of midnight on Sunday was expected to arrive on the 23rd.

A new ship has been added to the row arriving April 6-12. This is new data and has increased New Zealand’s stocks of jet fuel on water by 9.9 days.