Rural communities like Te Hāpua are feeling the pinch of fuel price increases. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya
Fuel price increases are continuing to bite rural and isolated communities, with residents cutting back on travel, combining and carefully planning trips as costs climb.
Government figures released this week show fuel stocks remained stable, with sufficient stock levels across petrol, diesel and jet fuel. The figures released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) on Monday showed 52.8 days of petrol, 46.1 days of diesel and 49.1 days of jet fuel.
The numbers also showed four ships were on the water within New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), up to two days away. Six ships, up to three weeks away, were outside the EEZ.
MBIE said overall fuel stocks remained well above the minimum requirements, the supply chain was operating smoothly, and fuel continued to flow into the country as expected.
“Fuel importers have provided good confidence through confirmed orders to mid-June, with planned orders extending into July.”
Data will next be updated on Monday.
Meanwhile, prices at the pump are continuing to affect communities. Yesterday, the Gaspy app showed the average price per litre for 91 unleaded in NZ was $3.26, 95 unleaded $3.46, unleaded 98 $3.62, and diesel $3.30.
For Te Hāpua resident Adria Susich, this meant a trip to Kaitāia was now close to $200.
“It’s now $160 to $180 to fill up our car. Before it used to be around $80 or $90.”
The jump has forced many families to make tough choices, she said.
They are bundling trips, shopping is being stretched over weeks, and hospital visits are carefully co-ordinated to avoid multiple journeys.
She said members of her family had hospital appointments in town quite often, and they were grateful the hospital had been understanding and combined their appointments.
“My daughter and I had appointments on Thursday, and my mum had one on Wednesday, so we had to ring and try to get them all on the same day. We can’t afford to go in and then go back again.
“The outpatient staff in Kaitāia do try to work around us, which helps, but it’s not always possible. And we don’t cancel appointments, because you could be waiting three to six months for another one.”
Susich’s experience is echoed across rural Northland, where the rising fuel costs have put additional pressure on isolated communities.
“It’s had a big impact on people in rural areas, not just us. I’d say Pawarenga and other little rural areas, they’ll be affected by it, everyone.”
Rural Women New Zealand chief executive Sandra Kirby said fuel costs were cutting into every part of household budgets, often on top of existing financial pressure.
“Our members have been feeling the pinch of rising fuel prices across every part of their lives, and for many, this is on top of existing cost-of-living pressures they were already dealing with.
“Unlike people who live in town, families in rural areas often have no alternatives to driving. With limited or non-existent public transport, even basic things like getting groceries or making it to a doctor’s appointment are getting harder to afford.”
Kirby said that in places like Northland in particular, “every dollar on the fuel price is a dollar they have to find somewhere else.
“What we are seeing is that rising fuel prices are making things harder for families who were already doing it tough. We are hearing from members who are struggling to afford to get their kids to school, and in some cases, that is affecting attendance.”
She said rural communities were the ones who felt it most and had the least ability to do anything about it.
“What our members keep telling us is that this is not just about the farm, it is about being able to afford getting to the doctor, getting the kids to school, just being able to live your life.”
The Government recently agreed to temporarily increase relief teacher mileage rates, with car reimbursement rising from 37c to 83c a kilometre and motorbike rates from 15c to 31c.
Northland MP Grant McCallum said the increased transport support will make a real difference for rural schools and families across the region.
“Distances in Northland are significant, and that creates real challenges for both families and schools.”
Small schools with fewer than 100 students will also receive a one-off $2500 grant to help manage higher mileage costs.
The conveyance allowance will also temporarily increase by 30%, helping families with the cost of getting children to school or the nearest bus route.
“In rural Northland, getting to school is not always simple. This support will help ease pressure on families and help keep kids in the classroom.”
The Relief Teacher Transport Allowance and conveyance allowance increases will last for 12 months, or until the price of 91 petrol falls below $3 per litre for four consecutive weeks.