Fuel update for Screen Workers – what this may mean for you

The Government has now released its Fuel Response Plan 2026 in response to fuel supply uncertainty linked to the conflict in the Middle East. New Zealand is currently at Phase 1: Watchful.

This means fuel remains available nationally, supply is continuing to arrive, and there is no instruction to change purchasing behaviour or stockpile fuel at this time. MBIE says supply remains stable overall and there is currently no need for New Zealanders to change how they buy fuel.

However, our fuel partner Z Business has now advised that, while the impact on its overall ability to supply customers has so far been minimal, it has seen an increase in product stockouts at some service stations and truck stops in some regions over recent days.

Z says it is also seeing variable and increased demand patterns, which are making supply management more difficult.

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What this means for screen workers

For screen workers, this means the immediate risk is still mainly:

• higher fuel costs
• more variable access in some locations
• possible local stockouts or inconvenience
• greater pressure on workers who rely on private vehicles to get to work

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At this stage, this is not a sign that everyone should rush out and fill every tank or store fuel. In fact, both Government and Z are effectively saying the opposite: refuel normally, because unusual buying behaviour adds pressure to the network.

What has changed is that the issue no longer looks purely theoretical. Even while the national system remains in Phase 1, some parts of the network are clearly becoming more stretched than others.

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Who in the screen workforce may feel this first

The workers most likely to feel this first are those who:

• drive long distances to set or studio locations
• work in outer urban, regional, or remote locations
• need to move between multiple sites in one day
• rely on vans, utes, or heavier vehicles
• self-fund their transport to work
• depend on truck-stop refuelling routes
• rely on domestic air travel for work movement

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MBIE has made clear that petrol, diesel and jet fuel can be assessed separately under the Fuel Response Plan, so effects may not land evenly across all travel types.

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What screen workers should do now

1. ‍ Keep refuelling normal and sensible
   Do not panic buy. Do not change habits in a way that puts extra pressure on supply. But also do not leave yourself running close to empty if your work depends on driving daily.
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2. Build some resilience into your work week
   Where possible, avoid leaving critical travel until the last possible minute. If you know you have a location job, call time, supplier run, or travel-heavy day coming up, make sure you are reasonably prepared beforehand.
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3. Assume fuel costs may keep rising
   MBIE says petrol and diesel prices are expected to stay high and may continue to rise in the coming weeks. Screen workers should budget on that basis now.
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4. Reduce unnecessary driving where practical
   Combine trips, share transport where workable, reduce idling, and avoid duplicate runs. Even small reductions matter if this continues for weeks.
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5. Be more cautious with regional and truck-stop-dependent travel
   Because Z has specifically mentioned some regional service stations and truck stops experiencing stockouts, workers relying on those routes should be especially mindful of planning ahead.
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6. Watch for changing conditions, not rumours
   At the moment, the official position remains Phase 1. If this changes, MBIE says it will communicate publicly and update fuel response measures accordingly.

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If the situation worsens

MBIE’s current framework indicates that if New Zealand moves into Phase 3 or 4, fuel may be allocated using priority bands. Based on the currently indicative bands, the screen sector would most likely sit outside the top protected categories, meaning screen workers should not assume priority access if stronger controls are introduced. That is an informed reading of the published framework rather than a formal sector classification.

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Bottom line

Right now, this is not a national fuel access crisis for screen workers.
But it is a live warning that:

• prices are likely to remain elevated
• local stockouts are beginning to appear in parts of the network
• travel-heavy screen workers may start feeling operational pressure before any formal national restrictions are activated

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The best approach for now is: stay calm, fuel normally, plan ahead, reduce unnecessary use, and keep an eye on official updates.

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Suggested Screen Worker Response Plan

Right now

• keep vehicle fuel at a sensible working level
• avoid panic buying
• budget for sustained higher pump prices
• combine errands and reduce unnecessary travel
• check route options if working regionally
• keep informed through MBIE and trusted supplier updates
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If local stockouts become more common

• refuel earlier in your working cycle, not at the last minute
• prioritise fuel for confirmed work and essential personal travel
• reduce discretionary trips
• coordinate lift-sharing where practical
• allow more time for travel-heavy jobs
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If New Zealand moves into Phase 3 or 4

• follow any purchase limits immediately
• preserve fuel for paid work, essential family needs, and unavoidable travel
• monitor daily updates closely
• do not assume screen work will receive protected access under priority allocation settings unless MBIE confirms otherwise

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