Soaring fuel prices are changing the way New Zealanders travel and manage their household budgets, with new research showing more people are walking, cycling and using public transport as they look for ways to cut everyday costs.
A nationwide survey commissioned by Genesis Energy found 80 percent of New Zealanders are actively searching for ways to reduce their total household energy costs, from electricity and heating through to transport.
The research suggests rising living costs are prompting significant behavioural change, with many households reassessing how they use energy both at home and on the road.
The survey found 40 percent of New Zealanders are walking or cycling more because of higher fuel prices, while 26 percent have increased their use of public transport.
Transport costs are also affecting wider lifestyle decisions, with around half of respondents saying rising petrol prices had influenced or changed their holiday travel plans over the past six months.
Among commuters, 42 percent reported altering how often they travel to work as they seek to reduce transport expenses.
The research highlights a clear generational divide.
While younger New Zealanders are the most likely to change their behaviour in response to rising fuel costs, they are also the least confident about understanding their overall household energy expenses.
Just one-third of people aged between 18 and 29 say they have a good understanding of both fuel and electricity costs, compared with around three-quarters of those aged over 60.
Despite that knowledge gap, 86 percent of under-30s say they have already made at least one lifestyle change because of increasing fuel prices.
Although electric vehicles continue to attract growing interest, the survey found upfront purchase price remains the largest obstacle preventing widespread adoption.
Only 30 percent of respondents said they had already switched to an electric vehicle or were likely to do so, while half said making the transition remained unlikely.
The cost of purchasing an EV was identified as the biggest barrier, significantly outweighing concerns about charging infrastructure or vehicle range.
Genesis says that for households able to make the switch, charging an electric vehicle at home can substantially reduce ongoing transport costs compared with petrol-powered vehicles.
The survey also found many households may be missing opportunities to lower their energy bills because they are unaware of available tools and simple behavioural changes.
Almost half of respondents did not know they could reduce electricity costs simply by changing the time of day they heated their water, while half had never used an online calculator to estimate potential household energy savings.
Genesis has partnered with technology company Cogo to launch the Genesis Go Electric Calculator, which allows households to compare energy costs and explore potential savings from options including solar panels, electric vehicles, electric appliances and home batteries.
According to Genesis, users of the calculator have identified potential average annual savings of around $4,000, particularly when combining electric transport with home electrification.
For many Māori households, rising transport and energy costs continue to add pressure to already stretched household budgets.
Communities in rural and regional areas often face longer travel distances, making fuel price increases particularly challenging. At the same time, higher electricity costs continue to affect whānau already experiencing financial hardship.
The research suggests improved access to affordable renewable energy, home insulation, energy-efficient appliances and public transport could play an increasingly important role in reducing household costs while supporting New Zealand’s transition to lower-emissions living.
As cost-of-living pressures remain a key issue heading into the 2026 General Election, the findings highlight the growing importance of helping households make informed decisions about energy use while ensuring cleaner technologies become more affordable and accessible.
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