What is Labour saying about the Government’s fuel relief package?

Labour says the Government’s fuel relief package is only a partial response and leaves many New Zealanders without meaningful support as fuel costs continue to rise.

Who does Labour say is missing out on fuel relief?

Labour says New Zealanders without children, superannuitants, students, and people not eligible for the in-work tax credit are among those missing out.

Why does Labour link fuel prices to the wider cost of living crisis?

Labour argues that rising petrol prices are adding to already high grocery costs and power bills, worsening the broader cost of living crisis for households across New Zealand.

Fuel relief a start, but most Kiwis still struggling

ByThe Daily Blog 25 March 202612 April 2026

Labour says the Government’s fuel relief package does not go far enough, warning that many New Zealanders facing rising petrol prices and broader cost of living pressures will still miss out on meaningful support.

Today’s announcement leaves the majority of New Zealanders still facing higher fuel costs without any additional support.

Labour says fuel support leaves too many behind

“More people will miss out from today’s announcement than will benefit from it,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.

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“This is a drop in the ocean. We want to know what the Government will be doing for New Zealanders without children, superannuitants, students, and those who aren’t eligible for the in-work tax credit.

“People on low and fixed incomes can’t wait for help to slowly flow through the system. The sooner the Government can give those people answers the better.

“Rising petrol prices come on top of costs that are already too high. The fuel crisis would be a lot easier to bear if Christopher Luxon hadn’t already made things worse.

“Groceries were already too expensive, energy bills too high. Kiwis are paying the price for decisions he made long before this started.

Cost of living pressure is wider than petrol prices

“The Government should be looking at pragmatic decisions to help people through the cost of living crisis that they created, including allowing workers to work from home and additional relief for those doing it hardest.

“New Zealanders were already struggling before the conflict in the Middle East started. Today’s announcement is a start, but there are still far too many who need support, and they still aren’t getting it from this Government,” Chris Hipkins said.

If the Government is serious about helping people through this latest fuel shock, it will need to move beyond narrow eligibility settings and confront the broader cost of living crisis crushing households across Aotearoa.