Fuel response update#
Thank you to those of you who contributed to our fuel response data collection at the end of Term 1, which had a 97% response rate. Your feedback is invaluable in enabling us to understand concerns and trends, and has informed our planning.
We have provided information here:
About our fuel supply response – Ministry of Education
We are still in New Zealand’s Fuel Response Plan phase 1
Schools are open for instruction as usual. You will continue to make resourcing, staffing and operational decisions as usual, within existing budgets.
More information on phase 1 can be found here.
New Zealand’s Fuel Response Plan [PDF, 206 KB]
You will be working through potential impacts for your school in phase 1, and may also want to start planning for phase 2.
The following may assist your planning:
- Guidance to support fuel response planning [PDF, 439 KB]
- Fuel shortage response plan template for phases 1 to 2 [PDF, 700 KB]
As part of the Government’s response, we are planning for phases 3 to 4. We will share information with you regularly, including if response plan phases change.
Key messages you could send to your community#
- The Government has introduced a National Fuel Plan, which is available online here:
New Zealand’s Fuel Response Plan [PDF, 206 KB] - There are 4 phases in this plan, and New Zealand is at phase 1, “Watchful”. This means the fuel market is operating effectively and fuel is available nationwide.
- Onsite learning and attendance remain our top priority – as they will at any phase in the plan. Your child therefore needs to continue to attend school regularly.
- We are introducing a couple of new initiatives in response to phase 1 [school to insert, for example, walking buses, support for carpooling].
- We are planning for phase 2 and will keep you updated if anything should need to change for our school operations.
- The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is the lead agency for New Zealand’s response. You will find more information on their website here:
Middle East conflict and New Zealand's fuel stocks – Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment - The Ministry of Education is also supporting schools with their planning and has added information here:
About our fuel supply response – Ministry of Education
Attendance#
Fuel-related absences need to be treated as 'unjustified'. If a child remains absent for more than 5 days, you will need to follow up as you would for any other unjustified absence.
School attendance has continued to track above last year for week-by-week attendance across all school types. We will continue to monitor attendance closely.
Education outside the classroom#
Under the current fuel phase, there is no expectation that education outside the classroom (EOTC) activities be cancelled or reduced. Schools are encouraged to look at local options that could reduce fuel use while still achieving the desired learning outcomes.
At all phases of the fuel response, schools should carefully consider the potential impact of fuel-related disruption on overseas travel. This includes the possibility of delays, itinerary changes, difficulty returning as scheduled, and additional transport or accommodation costs.
Schools should check with insurance providers to understand any implications for cover.
Checking and following Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade travel advice is essential.
Sport NZ advises that, as the winter sports and tournament season begins, under phase 1 things should continue as normal, however they encourage you to look at options such as carpooling to reduce fuel use.
Survey on fuel use in schools and kura#
We are keen to understand what you are using fuel for and would appreciate you completing a voluntary survey. We will use this information to consider potential targeted, temporary relief options.
Take the survey here:
