As rising fuel costs continue to bite, Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke won’t attend a major global economic forum in Washington DC, saying whānau are already carrying the weight of a worsening fuel crisis.
The forum is part of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Bank Group 2026, and is described as one of the world’s largest gatherings of finance ministers, central bankers and global leaders, where economic stability, fuel supply and global growth are discussed.
Maipi-Clarke says she was one of just 12 legislators from around the world invited to attend, but has chosen not to go, saying she cannot leave while whānau are struggling with rising fuel costs.
“How can I go over to Washington knowing our communities here can’t even afford to get down the road? Nōku te hōnore ki te tae atu, engari he nui ngā take i whakakore ai mātou i tō mātou haerenga ki tāwāhi, ki Amerika.
“Ko ngā pakanga huri noa i te ao, ko te kōhinu e whai pānga ana ki ō mātou hapori puta noa o Aotearoa, me pēhea mātou e tautoko ai, e whakarauora ai i ngā pakihi me ngā whānau i konei ake i mua i te haere ki tāwāhi.” Maipi Clarke said.
Fuel prices continue to surge, and global supply remains under strain, despite officials insisting current stock levels remain within normal bounds.
The latest data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment shows a slight drop in national fuel reserves, with 58.7 days of petrol, 52.2 days of diesel and 46.2 days of jet fuel available as of Sunday night.
While that represents a small decrease from earlier in the week, officials say the change reflects typical supply patterns, with fuel both in-country and on tankers heading to Aotearoa.
The update comes as the global fuel crisis, driven by the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, enters its fifth week, disrupting key shipping routes and pushing prices higher at the pump.
In the House on Wednesday, Maipi-Clarke asked the Government on what immediate relief would be offered to whānau facing soaring costs.
“Will the Government consider freezing road user charges during the fuel crisis to support whānau… paying more than $230 to fill a diesel tank?” she asked during Question Time.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged the pressure but signalled the Government would stay its course.
“We well understand how important diesel is… our focus is very much on securing extra supply,” he said.
Luxon said support would be “temporary, targeted and timely”, the government’s catch cry of their fuel crisis response, pointing to last week’s package for working families, while warning broader relief measures could worsen inflation.
But Maipi-Clarke says the Government is missing the reality facing communities on the ground.
“Ia rā o ia wiki kua kite mātou i ngā pānuitanga a te kāwanatanga mō ngā fuel stocks, engari ki ngā hapori ake ko te tino āwangawanga ko te utu.”
“It’s not about supply for whānau, it’s about whether they can afford to get to mahi, to kura, to the hospital.”
She says the impact is being felt hardest in rural communities like Hauraki-Waikato, where there are few alternatives to driving.
“He uaua mā mātou ki Kirikiriroa te haere ki Tāmaki Makaurau ki te tiki kōhinu.”
“I’ve heard of whānau in Hauraki paying more than $230 to fill a diesel tank… others in Papakura paying over $170 just to get to work.”
Maipi-Clarke says there are immediate steps the Government could take, pointing to measures used in previous crises.
“We’ve put forward options like freezing road user charges, reducing fuel tax, free public transport, and subsidies for rural communities and essential workers.”
“The government is not providing short-term solutions that respond to the mamae and the burden our whānau are facing right now.”,
