Fuel prices are continuing to fluctuate. Nearly nine in ten business owners expect reduced activity in the coming months. And 83 per cent of business owners across New Zealand are reporting some level of stress.
This article pulls together the most useful information available right now, so you can make clear-headed decisions for your business.
The good news is that New Zealand's fuel supply is currently stable. As of early May, New Zealand holds close to 49 days of petrol, nearly 48 days of diesel, and over 55 days of jet fuel across the system. That is broadly in line with normal pre-disruption levels.
The government's message is clear: refuel as normal. Panic buying and stockpiling make the situation worse for everyone, including essential services that need fuel most.
"This isn’t a supply crisis, it’s a cost and confidence shock that’s already shaping how businesses make decisions," says EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald.
“Our focus at the EMA is on supporting Members with up-to-date information, practical tools, and advocacy to help them navigate rising costs and build resilience.”
Phase 1: Stable supply, rising prices. Knowing where we are in that framework helps you plan ahead, rather than react under pressure.
For the latest fuel stock levels and official updates, the MBIE business guidance hub is your best starting point. Our partner, the Employers and Manufacturers Association, are also updating their Fuel Supply Hub regularly. It gathers government data, media coverage, and practical business guidance in one place.
Even if your business does not run a fleet of vehicles, the fuel crisis is likely already affecting you.
A recent EMA survey of more than 150 businesses found that 73 per cent have received notice of rising input costs beyond fuel itself. Supply chains, freight, raw materials, and packaging: the oil price surge flows through everything.
Fifty-eight per cent of businesses plan to raise their prices as a direct result. Nearly a third expect their costs to rise by 20 per cent or more over the next 12 months.
This is the moment to look hard at your numbers. Review your supplier contracts. Check whether you have fuel surcharge clauses, and if you don’t, consider whether you need to add them. It’s better to build cost escalation into your pricing where you can, before the pressure builds further.
If you have staff or customers who are feeling the pinch, the government has temporarily increased the InWork Tax Credit by up to $50 per week to help working families manage rising costs. It is worth knowing about, and worth passing on.
Don’t wait for conditions to worsen before acting. Small operational changes made now can reduce your exposure and improve your margins.
These are not dramatic measures. They are sensible adjustments that will serve your business well beyond this crisis.
Business owners have faced several years of tough conditions with inflation, tight margins and sluggish consumer spending. The Middle East conflict is one more weight on an already heavy load.
Sarah Trotman, CEO of Business Mentors NZ, says this needs to be named for what it is.
"This isn't a personal failing. It's the reality of running a business in New Zealand right now. A Business Mentor won't fix the global oil price, but they will sit with you, help you think clearly, and remind you that you don't have to figure this out on your own."
Fifty-two per cent of businesses are currently focused on just maintaining their size. Sixteen per cent are considering downsizing. Only 31 per cent are planning any expansion.
Those are reasonable responses to a difficult environment. But the businesses that come through hard times strongest are usually those that plan deliberately, rather than drift.
"Good planning isn't about predicting the future," says Trotman. "It's about knowing what you'll do when things change. A Business Mentor will help you stress-test your numbers, look at where your business is exposed, and build a plan that holds up, whether fuel costs stabilise next month or stay high for the next year."
That kind of thinking, structured, forward-looking, and grounded in your specific situation, is exactly what a Business Mentor brings to the table.
"Resilience isn't something you either have, or you don't," Trotman adds. "It's built, conversation by conversation, decision by decision."
Right now, the most useful thing you can do is stay informed and stay connected. Here are some useful resources.
EMA Fuel Supply Hub: Live updates, stock levels, government guidance, and business tools
MBIE fuel and business continuity guidance: Official government updates and the Fuel Response Plan 2026
EECA fuel efficiency tips: Practical advice to reduce your fuel use
NZ Business Continuity Support Group: An EMA Facebook community where NZ business owners are sharing what’s working
If you’d like someone in your corner as you work through what all of this means for your business specifically, a Business Mentor can help.