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Seafood New Zealand is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, which is significantly impacting the price of fuel (petrol, diesel and aviation fuel).

We are working with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other government agencies to understand the risks and to ensure officials are kept informed of the seafood sector’s needs. 

We are providing information to officials on a regular basis on the impacts on the sector, particularly in relation to the escalating cost of fuel and other inputs and trade related concerns, and we continue to reiterate the importance of the sector as suppliers of food and to the New Zealand economy, should fuel restrictions be implemented.

The Government is closely monitoring fuel stock supply, including both the amount of fuel in the country and that which is on the water on-route to New Zealand. They have developed a Fuel Response Plan that has a phased approach should restrictions become necessary, the phases are:

 

Phase 1: Watchful

Phase 2: Precautionary

Phase 3: Managed

Phase 4: Protected

 

Restrictions on fuel come into play in Phase 3, where the Government will introduce purchasing limits on a priority basis, which is signalled as:

  • Band A: life-supporting services – uncapped supply – e.g. emergency services, courts, corrections, hospitals, lifeline utilities and defence
  • Band B: economically-important services – e.g. critical transport services (e.g. road freight for supermarket and grocery supply chains, international air links), food supply and primary production during time-critical periods
  • Band C: essential services – e.g. public transport, essential infrastructure maintenance, and rural GPs and district nurses
  • Band D: other commercial customers – this comprises all other commercial and business fuel uses
  • Band E: general retail sales to consumers.

 

We are currently in Phase 1 of the Fuel Response Plan. More information can be found here:

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2026-03/Fuel%20Response%20Plan%20factsheets.pdf

 

MPI is also looking at ways of providing relief to the sector and are currently exploring options to enable additional ACE carry forward in the current fishing year. We are keen to hear if you think of regulatory or procedural examples like this that could be considered, noting that they are currently looking at relief that is fiscally neutral for the Government.

 

What we need from industry?

We can’t provide details to officials if we don’t know how the situation is impacting you, information is critical. Please keep us informed so that we can accurately represent the impacts you are facing, we are keen to hear from you on:

  • Impacts associated with the increasing cost of fuel and other inputs and/or any issues with supply
  • Impacts associated with supply chain logistics - shipping, airfreight, transport, storage, container supply, imports etc

 

And as noted above any regulatory or procedural examples that if implemented would provide some relief to the sector.

Please send your comments to [email protected]

 

Information and Resources

One of the most important things to do is to stay in touch with your fuel supply companies and key suppliers to discuss on-going supply.  Consider, fuel, packaging, transport and shipping and other inputs critical to your business.

 

Other information can be found at:

Contractual performance amidst a global fuel crisis - Russell McVeagh

 

Wellbeing

We know that these uncertain times can impact on yours and your staff’s wellbeing. If you are feeling overwhelmed about the current situation, need help or to talk, the following organisations can provide support: