New Zealand PM warns Iran conflict driving up domestic fuel prices

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has warned that the ongoing conflict in Iran is driving up global fuel prices, with effects already being felt within the country.

In a post on X, the prime minister emphasized the government’s proactive approach to managing the economic fallout, Caliber.Az reports.

I wanted to give you an update on how international events are having an impact in New Zealand. All Kiwis will be noticing that the conflict in Iran is having an impact at the pump.

Whatever happens, I want to reassure you that our Government will deliver the responsible…

— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) March 17, 2026

“I wanted to give you an update on how international events are having an impact in New Zealand. All Kiwis will be noticing that the conflict in Iran is having an impact at the pump.

 Whatever happens, I want to reassure you that our Government will deliver the responsible economic and fiscal management needed.

 New Zealand has good holdings of fuel – and more broadly, the latest advice from Treasury shows we are in the best position that we have been in years to deal with a shock like this. The economy is growing, inflation and interest rates are down, and we’re making progress in getting the books back in order.

 But I know Kiwis are already feeling the impact. That’s why we’ve been talking to other world leaders to ensure New Zealand continues to receive critical supplies of fuel and other economic inputs.

 We've set up a Ministerial Oversight Group led by Nicola Willis, and officials are working up options that will allow us to respond rapidly, should we need to.

 We live in an increasingly unstable world, and speed bumps in the road are real.

Our Government is taking sensible economic decisions to help Kiwis with the cost of living, create jobs and lift incomes – and ensuring we are well prepared for whenever bumps in the road might hit,” the post reads.

By Vafa Guliyeva