A bit of background..

NZ is totally dependent on imported oil after it’s only oil refinery was shut down because it was losing money and needed reburbishment.

The Government at the time declined to intervene as they were anti-oil fanatics, and it suited their agenda.

https://www.kiwiunity.co.nz/nz-s-building-blocks/3114029_marsden-point

interestingly, one notable guy has been on a crusade to buy it back off the owners and reopen it for years.

https://rcr.media/episodes/karl-barkley-spokesman-founder-for-operation-goodoil-an-update-on-marsden-point-oil-refinery-and-public-shares/

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The present

The Iran / USA entanglement has destabilised NZ’s fuel supplies as they are refined in Singapore after been purchased in the Middle East. It makes for a very long supply line. (about 50 days)

At this point, fuel prices have doubled over the last few months, but most people just carry on regardless, with little or no changes to their lifestyle.
The few that think we might have a problem, don’t seem to know how to move forward, hence the following guide.

Some assumptions

The war will go on for a long time, perhaps a year, even then fuel prices will stay high for quite some time.
Fuel shortfalls could occur due to gaps in shipping, etc, lasting several weeks at a time,  prices could be very high when this happens.
The government will be very reluctant to bring in any restrictions (they seem shocked by the extremes taken during covid by the previous Government)

Countermeasures

• Work out what your current weekly fuel usage is, then store at least several weeks worth to flatten the curve.
• If taking trips to town, do several things there on the same trip to save fuel
• Use the most economical car you have.

Considered Opinions -Apr 11, 2026

In the current geopolitical climate things are starting to feel a lot like the beginning of 2020, pre-lockdowns, when people were panicking and the media were pressuring the government to ‘do something’.

So what can we do?

Read our latest article for some practical ideas, and some perspective on what’s going on.

https://consideredopinions.substack.com/publish/post/193553555

https://youtu.be/RdxTuuMv4zQ?si=8xT8PNvFNVBy-8sZ

I’ve planted the odd tree that just didn’t grow well, so rather than pull it out and throw it away, I’ve replanted them somewhere else with mixed results.

Two Fijoa tree’s struggled along until I moved them to a sheltered spot with perhaps better soil.

A manderin tree just shriveled up and almost died, so I’ve moved it twice to fine somewhere it likes. I dont know if was depleted soil, too much water, etc that caused the problem, but it’s looking healthy at the moment.

We have a row of Japanese Cedars.. All of them are doing quite except one!, I have no idea why. I throw extra water at it than the others get, so it’s kept just a little bit of green, right at the top.