The Taxpayers’ Union has written to MBIE Chief Executive Nic Blakeley today, seeking explanations after officials have repeatedly been unable to justify their claims that key fuel security data should be kept from public view.
The letter comes after a meeting last week between MBIE’s chief executive, officials, and the Taxpayers’ Union about its Fuel Clock (FuelClock.nz), a public dashboard that monitors New Zealand’s fuel security in real time.
Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says the central issue is straightforward: officials are declining to identify the ships they say are “on water” heading to New Zealand, citing “commercial sensitivity,” yet have not been able to clarify what that sensitivity actually involves.
“We’ve now had multiple meetings with MBIE. Each time we’ve asked a very basic question: what exactly is commercially sensitive about publishing the names of fuel tankers and their cargoes? And each time, we’ve received no answer.”
The Fuel Clock uses MBIE’s own published data but adjusts it to reflect real-time fuel use and to separate fuel already in New Zealand from shipments still days or weeks away. As a result, it currently shows a lower level of available fuel than MBIE’s official “days of cover” figure suggests.
“We’ve gone away and tested MBIE’s claim with industry contacts, a competition law expert, and even a major fuel company. None could identify any credible commercial sensitivity or risk to competition,” Williams said.
“That leaves a simple conclusion: either the risk doesn’t exist, or MBIE is unwilling to explain it.”
The Taxpayers’ Union says the situation is made worse by inconsistencies in MBIE’s own explanations, adding to concerns about a lack of transparency.
“One week we’re told ships ‘on water’ have left port. The next week we’re told they may not have. That’s not a minor technicality – it goes directly to how much fuel New Zealand actually has available.”
Williams says the public is being expected to rely on information that is outdated and cannot be independently verified, at a time when fuel security is especially important.
“MBIE is publishing figures that are already five days out of date, while ministers are receiving daily updates. At the same time, they’re refusing to release the underlying data that would allow anyone to independently verify the official position.”
“You can’t have it both ways. If the situation is as comfortable as MBIE suggests, then transparency should reinforce that. The refusal to provide detail only undermines confidence.”
The Taxpayers’ Union is once again urging MBIE to release the vessel-level data behind its fuel stock figures and to clear up what it says are conflicting explanations given to officials and the public.
“This isn’t about causing alarm,” Willis said.
“It’s about ensuring New Zealanders – and policymakers – can see the reality for themselves.”