The Government says help with high fuel prices is coming, for some.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says officials are working hard on support options - as prices skyrocket.

She's all but ruled out cutting the fuel excise, as the last Government did in 2022. 

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon confirmed fuel supplies aren't at risk of drying up, but this could become a problem further down the track.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Government says help with high fuel prices is coming, for some.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says officials are working hard on support options - as prices skyrocket.
She's all but ruled out cutting the fuel excise, as the last Government did in 2022.&nbsp;
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon confirmed fuel supplies aren't at risk of drying up, but this could become a problem further down the track.
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the Government saying help with fuel prices is coming

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/285e923f-a361-4f38-89bb-b41200484171/transcript

Originair says it's already had to reduce flights between Westport and Wellington - and the route's now set to be axed by May.

The regional carrier stepped in when Sounds Air withdrew from the service in 2024.

Now, it says it's struggling with the small market and increasing operating costs.

Managing director Robert Inglis says it's cut the service back to three times a week - which went well over summer.

"But winter's another thing, and then, of course, the additional doubling of fuel price - we've just unfortunately had to make a hard call."

Originair has applied for Government funding to help it continue the service.

LISTEN ABOVE

Originair says it's already had to reduce flights between Westport and Wellington - and the route's now set to be axed by May.
The regional carrier stepped in when Sounds Air withdrew from the service in 2024.
Now, it says it's struggling with the small market and increasing operating costs.
Managing director Robert Inglis says it's cut the service back to three times a week - which went well over summer.
"But winter's another thing, and then, of course, the additional doubling of fuel price - we've just unfortunately had to make a hard call."
Originair has applied for Government funding to help it continue the service.
LISTEN ABOVE

Robert Inglis: Originair managing director on the carrier axing route between Westport and Wellington

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f89fb053-434a-4a18-a987-b412005e3da7/transcript

The Finance Minister says South Korea and Singapore will continue to export fuel, as concern rises over continuity of supply. 

The Government says they'll now give twice-weekly stock updates - as the war in Iran pressures global oil prices. 

Nicola Willis says South Korea's limiting orders to 2025 levels,  but New Zealand has a strong relationship with Singapore. 

"Including an agreement that we will prioritise them in areas of critical shortage, particularly food, and they'll prioritise us in the areas of critical shortage, particularly fuel."

LISTEN ABOVE

The Finance Minister says South Korea and Singapore will continue to export fuel, as concern rises over continuity of supply.&nbsp;
The Government says they'll now give twice-weekly stock updates - as the war in Iran pressures global oil prices.&nbsp;
Nicola Willis says South Korea's limiting orders to 2025 levels,&nbsp; but New Zealand has a strong relationship with Singapore.&nbsp;
"Including an agreement that we will prioritise them in areas of critical shortage, particularly food, and they'll prioritise us in the areas of critical shortage, particularly fuel."
LISTEN ABOVE

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister addresses fuel supply concerns as Middle East conflict continues

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5c21ab28-3799-42e4-876f-b4120055ff4d/transcript

Ketamine is becoming much more popular in the Kiwi party scene.

The New Zealand Drug Trends Survey shows 73 percent of respondents have no trouble getting their hands on the dissociative anaesthetic.

The inflation adjusted price of MDMA has tumbled 47 percent since 2017.

Drug testing agency KnowYourStuff general manager, Casey Spearin, says use of ketamine's climbed since 2018.

"We hear, anecdotally, of students not drinking as much, people not drinking as much - and ketamine is certainly a way to have similar effects without the price and the hangovers the next day."

LISTEN ABOVE

Ketamine is becoming much more popular in the Kiwi party scene.
The New Zealand Drug Trends Survey shows 73 percent of respondents have no trouble getting their hands on the dissociative anaesthetic.
The inflation adjusted price of MDMA has tumbled 47 percent since 2017.
Drug testing agency KnowYourStuff general manager, Casey Spearin, says use of ketamine's climbed since 2018.
"We hear, anecdotally, of students not drinking as much, people not drinking as much - and ketamine is certainly a way to have similar effects without the price and the hangovers the next day."
LISTEN ABOVE

Casey Spearin: KnowYourStuff general manager on the rising popularity of ketamine

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3d2a1e22-e4d9-4380-a0f1-b412004fcff4/transcript

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the Government saying help with fuel prices is coming

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