The Government is preparing to relax some trucking and freight rules in a bid to reduce fuel use as Middle East conflict continues to threaten global energy supply.
Regulation Minister David Seymour has announced that a series of rule changes "to remove or suspend regulatory barriers" are being developed as the Government prepares for a possible move to fuel response phase two.
Potential changes include allowing some heavy vehicles to carry more weight per trip, relaxing restrictions for oversized trucks, and aligning licence requirements so drivers of heavier EVs don't need a higher-class licence than those driving diesel equivalents.
Seymour said the Government had been listening to people affected by the fuel uncertainty and that the changes would come in handy for higher response levels.
“New Zealand’s fuel supply is stable. We’re focused on keeping it that way," he said.
"We are still in phase one of the national fuel response plan, but we don’t want a repeat of the Covid-19 lockdowns. Doing the work to boost fuel efficiency now helps ensure we can stay in phase one for as long as possible, causing the least disruption to Kiwis."
New Zealand remains in phase one, which involves increased monitoring but no emergency measures. The Government said all options under development were being prepared to be implemented quickly if the country moved up phases.
"We expect options to be ready by the end of this month if needed."
They also signalled some of the changes could be here to stay regardless of the phases.
"Some options could be reworked into more permanent changes to reduce the impact of elevated fuel prices on the economy over the medium to long term."
The announcement comes as the latest MBIE fuel stocks update, published this afternoon, showed national supplies had continued to slip — with 51.8 days of petrol, 41.3 days of diesel and 45.7 days of jet fuel available, all down from the previous update.
Despite the decline, MBIE said the movements remained within expectations and showed normal patterns. In-country and near-shore diesel supplies remained as high as they had been since the Middle East conflict started, officials reiterated.
However, on-water stocks have continued a drop downwards.
Rules for 'if global conditions worsen'
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said weight restrictions on trucks, known as the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass rule, had been a consistent concern raised by the freight sector.
"In the short term, even small increases in permitted loads could reduce the number of trips needed, saving time, lowering costs, and reducing fuel use," he said.
1News Verian poll finds three quarters of respondents believe road user charges should be temporarily reduced. (Source: 1News)
"We need to balance that with safety and network impacts, but there are sensible changes we can make that will lift productivity without compromising standards.
"Fuel prices are already putting pressure on households and businesses, which is why this work matters. Getting ahead of the problem now helps reduce the impact if global conditions worsen."
Bishop noted relaxing those settings requires trade-offs, like increased wear on roads, from greater weights travelling along them.
"Some such trade-offs can become justified, at least temporarily, when the immediate priority is conserving fuel.
"For example, in the short term, some additional road wear may be acceptable to save fuel. Other trade-offs, like those that compromise safety, are not acceptable."
Delivery curfews and licensing rules being considered
Among the other changes being considered is temporarily easing delivery curfews that restrict when trucks can travel through populated areas. The purpose of existing rules was to limit noise late at night and early in the morning.
A supporting document noted these curfews could push heavy vehicles into peak-hour traffic, increasing stop-start driving and fuel waste.
"The Government is assessing whether temporary flexibility around delivery windows and curfews could allow heavy vehicles to take more direct routes and move when roads are quieter, improving efficiency and reducing fuel use."
Route restrictions on over-dimension vehicles, including sections of Auckland motorways and toll roads, are also under review.
Currently, those vehicles are forced onto less direct routes, burning more fuel.
Licensing thresholds for zero-emission vehicles were also being considered.
The document also explained that licence classes were determined partly by vehicle weight, with higher classes requiring more difficult and intensive testing.
Because zero-emission vehicles were often heavier than diesel equivalents, they could be pushed into a higher class — even though the document noted their handling was similar and they required the same level of skill to drive.
The mismatch had created a barrier to the uptake of electric vehicles in the commercial fleet, according to the Government.
Fuel stocks declining, most notably on the water
Monday's update confirmed the downward trend had continued, though MBIE described the movements as within normal expectations.
Petrol cover dropped slightly to 51.8 days, diesel to 41.3 days and jet fuel to 45.7 days.
The previous reading, taken on April 19, had shown 52.2 days of petrol, 42.3 days of diesel and 47.4 days of jet fuel — meaning all three fuel types had fallen slightly.
The decline is part of a broader downward trend since early April, when fuel stocks hit their highest levels since the Middle East conflict began — peaking at 62.6 days of petrol, 51.7 days of diesel and 53.5 days of jet fuel on April 5.
Diesel has dropped more than 10 days of cover over that period, while petrol has shed nearly 11 days.
Disputes over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz raises talk of retaliation between US and Iran. (Source: 1News)
But MBIE said the slight decreases in the most recent updates were the sort of variation expected when international shipping was operating as usual.
It noted that while total diesel stock had fallen, in-country supplies of 21.9 days combined with 13.7 days on water within New Zealand's exclusive economic zone meant near-shore diesel was as high as it had been since the conflict began.
In today's update, MBIE also made small revisions to some previously reported figures after fuel companies submitted amended returns, adjusting the April 19, petrol figure from 51.2 to 52.2 days and diesel from 41.6 to 42.3 days.
Fuel importers continue to manage their imports in line with demand and minimum stockholding obligations, and MBIE said there had been no reports of material issues with future shipments. The next update was expected on Wednesday afternoon.
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