where does new zealand get its petrol from
New Zealand now gets almost all of its petrol (and other fuel) from overseas refineries, mainly in Asia, with some from the Middle East and the Americas.
Quick Scoop
- New Zealand used to refine crude oil at Marsden Point near Whangārei, but the refinery stopped processing crude in 2022 and is now just an import terminal.
- Since that closure, the country has shifted to a near‑100% refined‑fuel import model – petrol, diesel and jet fuel now arrive already refined.
- Historically, most crude oil for Marsden Point came from the Middle East, while refined product also arrived from Singapore, Australia, South Korea and the Americas.
- Today, recent trade data shows South Korea is the single largest supplier by value, with other key suppliers in Asia and the wider Asia‑Pacific region still important.
- New Zealand does produce some high‑quality crude oil in Taranaki, but almost all of it is exported because local facilities were not set up to process it.
Where does New Zealand get its petrol from?
In practice, “where does New Zealand get its petrol from” is mostly a question about which countries supply the refined fuel that arrives by tanker. Imports now dominate because New Zealand’s own crude production covers only a small share of what the country consumes, and the refinery that once turned crude into petrol has closed.
Key points on current sources:
- Major import origins include:
- South Korea (currently the largest supplier by import value).
* Singapore and Australia as long‑standing refining and trading hubs in the region.
* Occasional volumes from the Americas and other Asia‑Pacific refineries depending on market prices and shipping routes.
- New Zealand’s own crude:
- Produced mainly in the Taranaki Basin fields such as Maui and Pohokura.
* Typically exported to refineries in Australia and Singapore rather than used domestically.
Mini timeline
- For decades (from the 1960s), Marsden Point refined imported crude, mostly from the Middle East, into petrol and other fuels for the local market.
- Even then, around 30% of fuel needs were met by importing already‑refined petrol and diesel from overseas refineries.
- In 2021–2022, refining at Marsden Point was shut down because it was uneconomic compared with huge modern refineries overseas, and the site became an import‑only terminal.
- Since then, virtually all petrol used in New Zealand has been imported as refined fuel, with trade data showing Korea and other Asian suppliers taking the lead.
Quick HTML table of main sources
| Source / Region | Role in NZ petrol supply |
|---|---|
| South Korea | Currently largest supplier of refined fuel imports by value. | [9]
| Singapore | Regional refining and trading hub; supplies refined petrol and other fuels. | [9][3]
| Australia | Long‑standing supplier of refined product; also a buyer of NZ crude. | [3]
| Middle East | Historic main source of crude oil for Marsden Point when it still refined. | [3]
| Americas & other Asia-Pacific | Additional suppliers of refined fuels depending on global prices and shipping. | [9][3]
| Taranaki crude (NZ) | Produced locally but mostly exported; not used to make domestic petrol since refining stopped. | [1][3]