Rising fuel prices and what the government is doing to help w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 23rd March, 2026

The US and Israel’s War on Iran and subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz has fuel prices increasing across the country. As fuel prices increase, people are continually looking towards alternatives, primarily public transport and electric vehicles. With public transport use at a 7 year high last week and demand for electric vehicles increasing, demand seems to contradict government policy. 

Since the start of its term, the government has been cutting discounts to public transport and cutting incentives to buy electric vehicles. At the same time, the government has touted investments in LNG and offshore oil and gas exploration as the solutions to New Zealand’s energy woes. 

As fuel prices continue to rise, so too does the cost of living, with prices in supermarkets already spiking and hitting consumers where many are already struggling. Despite the government’s campaigning and signalling around cost of living, prices are continuing to rise without a similar increase to wages. 

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked him about the fuel crisis and the lessons the government is taking.