Petrol prices in New Zealand have climbed above three dollars a litre in parts of the country, putting added pressure on households already dealing with the cost of living crisis. New Zealand imports all of its refined fuel, making it particularly exposed to global disruptions. While officials say the country holds around a 50-day fuel reserve, recent price spikes have raised questions about how secure that supply really is. Beyond the pump, rising fuel costs can flow through the wider economy, affecting everything from transport and freight to retail and food prices.

Producer Pranuja spoke to Dr Murat Ungor from the University of Otago about what’s driving rising petrol prices, how vulnerable New Zealand’s fuel system is, and what this means for everyday New Zealanders.