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March 15, 2026
#gulfcrisis: Petrol prices surge past $3 as shortages reported across the country
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On March 15, 2026
Motorists across Aotearoa are facing rapidly rising fuel prices and growing concerns about supply, with petrol now exceeding $3 per litre in some parts of the country as global oil markets react to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Radio Waatea reporters and correspondents from around the country say they are hearing increasing reports of petrol and diesel shortages, with some service stations running dry as motorists rush to fill their tanks before prices climb even higher.
Several Gull service stations have run out of fuel, with some sites in Auckland reporting empty pumps for the second time in just a few days as demand surged.
The surge in demand comes as the price of 91 petrol has tipped over the $3 per litre mark in some areas, sparking concern among motorists and businesses already grappling with rising living costs.
Fuel companies say the shortages are being driven by a sudden spike in demand rather than a complete lack of supply, with customers flocking to stations looking for cheaper prices. Some logistics providers have struggled to keep up with deliveries as demand has risen by more than 15 percent in recent days.
The pressure on the pump is being driven by events overseas. Fighting involving Iran has disrupted one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes – the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of global oil supply normally passes.
Any disruption to that route can quickly ripple through global fuel markets, pushing up crude oil prices and ultimately increasing what motorists pay at the pump.
Waatea correspondents say the effects are already being felt across the country, with reports of petrol and diesel prices approaching or exceeding the $3 mark in several regions. Transport operators and rural communities are also reporting growing concern about the cost of diesel, which is critical for freight, farming and food distribution.
Government data shows New Zealand holds fuel reserves, but the country is heavily reliant on imported refined fuel following the closure of the Marsden Point refinery. Analysts say that makes the country particularly vulnerable to global supply shocks.
With the Middle East conflict continuing and oil markets remaining volatile, economists warn fuel prices in New Zealand could climb further in the weeks ahead – adding new pressure to household budgets and the cost of transporting goods across the country.
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