Israel/Iran conflict
Luxon: 'Things could get worse before they get better'
Alex Cairns
The Government is preparing for a worst-case scenario, should the Iran war be prolonged, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said.
Speaking with Finance Minister Nicola Willis at Parliament on Thursday, he warned Kiwis that “things could get worse before they get better”.
As of yesterday, New Zealand had sufficient supplies of fuel. But the Government will be moving to twice-weekly updates on those stocks, with the next update on Monday, Willis said.
The Government’s preparations for a worst-case scenario has three main streams, she said:
Speaking with Finance Minister Nicola Willis at Parliament on Thursday, he warned Kiwis that “things could get worse before they get better”.
As of yesterday, New Zealand had sufficient supplies of fuel. But the Government will be moving to twice-weekly updates on those stocks, with the next update on Monday, Willis said.
The Government’s preparations for a worst-case scenario has three main streams, she said:
- Relying on New Zealand's diplomatic channels to ensure we can get the fuel we need. Luxon is leading this work, and he has already spoken to the leaders of Australia, the UAE and Qatar, he said.
- Regularly engaging with the fuel industry to understand their stocks and supply issues, and working with them on any challenges. Willis, along with ministers Chris Bishop and Shane Jones, is leading this work.
- Activating a domestic response based on the National Fuel Plan. Willis will provide an update next week that will flesh out the steps that could be taken at each level.
On household cost pressures, Willis said she wanted to be up front “that the Government won't be able to alleviate all of that pressure. But I am exploring measures, and have actively sought advice on methods by which we can provide very timely, temporary and targeted support”.
“We have sufficient fuel supplies, but even in the unlikely event the ceasefire is announced tomorrow, the effects on global supply chains and fuel supplies won't be immediately resolved,” Luxon said.
“We have sufficient fuel supplies, but even in the unlikely event the ceasefire is announced tomorrow, the effects on global supply chains and fuel supplies won't be immediately resolved,” Luxon said.