A growing fuel crisis is forcing whānau in Te Tai Tokerau to make heartbreaking decisions – choosing between filling the car or accessing essential healthcare.

Advocates say rising petrol prices and long travel distances are pushing many families to breaking point, with some delaying or missing medical appointments altogether.

The issue is especially acute in Northland, where access to healthcare often requires significant travel between towns and rural communities.

Campaigners warn that for many whānau, the cost of petrol is no longer just an inconvenience – it’s a barrier to care.

The crisis comes amid wider pressure on fuel prices across Aotearoa, driven by global instability and supply concerns.

While the Government says fuel supply remains stable, it acknowledges prices are rising and households are being urged to manage costs where possible.

But critics argue current support measures are not reaching those most in need – particularly rural Māori communities, who already face inequities in health access.

Recent reporting has highlighted how distance, cost, and limited services are combining to deepen those inequities, forcing whānau into “impossible choices” between basic needs and medical care.

Health advocates are now calling for targeted support, including travel assistance and more accessible local services, to ensure no one is left behind.

For Radio Waatea, the message is clear: as fuel prices rise, the real cost is being felt in the health and wellbeing of whānau – and the system is being tested in ways that demand urgent action.

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