How and Why New Zealand Should Move Away from A Reliance on Foreign Fuel Imports w/ University of Auckland’s Dr Timothy Welch: 19 March, 2026

20% of the world’s oil supply has been shut off over the past week due to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Petrol prices have reached $3 NZD a litre, with some stations running out of fuel due to demand. 

New Zealand imports all of our petrol, diesel, and jet fuel, making us especially vulnerable to global oil crises.  We are particularly dependent on oil for transport, with electricity accounting for just 0.5% of domestic transport energy. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke to  Dr Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland and an expert in transportation and infrastructure, about how New Zealand can move away from car dependency and our reliance on foreign oil imports.