Several Gull petrol stations across New Zealand’s North Island have run dry for the second time in three days, as rising fuel prices linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East cause concern among motorists. The price of 91 octane petrol has surpassed $3 a litre in some areas, according to reports.
The disruptions approach as US President Donald Trump has called on allied nations to collaborate in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil supplies. The strait is currently experiencing significant disruption due to attacks by Iran aimed at halting maritime traffic, effectively closing the route, according to RNZ.
Lloyd McInnes, a regular customer at the Gull self-service station on Rosebank Road in West Auckland, expressed surprise at finding the pumps unavailable. “Today’s the very first time ever that they’ve said they don’t have any for me. I expected a price increase, but I did not expect to not be able to buy any,” he said. He noted that the issue appears widespread across Gull stations in West Auckland.
A worker at a Coffee and Convenience store, located on the same property as a Gull station in West Auckland, reported receiving abuse from customers frustrated by the lack of fuel. The worker, who wished to remain anonymous, stated they were unsure when the fuel supply had been depleted.
Gull, which operates 113 stations primarily in the North Island, acknowledged the high demand, stating that customers are “flock[ing] to our stations in search of fair fuel prices.” A spokesperson for the company said that some of their logistics providers are struggling to maintain up with a demand increase of more than 15 percent. “Gull has good levels of fuel at its terminal and is working as fast as practical with our logistics’ providers to receive fuel to our sites to meet Gull’s customers increased demand,” the spokesperson added. The company maintains that sufficient fuel remains available for the wider Auckland region and the rest of the country.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise reported a week ago that New Zealand currently holds a 52-day supply of petrol, diesel, and jet fuel.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, with approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil consumption – roughly 20 million barrels per day – typically passing through it. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Saturday that the strait remains “open” to all countries except the United States and Israel, according to the New York Post. Since February 28th, sixteen ships in and around the Gulf and Strait have been attacked, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations.
President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, urged allied nations to take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz, stating, “The Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will facilitate — A LOT!” He characterized the situation as a potential “team effort” to achieve “Harmony, Security, and Everlasting Peace.”
