Oral Questions for Wednesday 1 April 2026

This episode of RNZ's Oral Questions on 1 April 2026 features a high-stakes parliamentary session focused on the escalating fuel crisis driven by global tensions in the Middle East. The Prime Minister and senior ministers defend the government's response, emphasizing its commitment to 'timely, targeted, and temporary' support—most notably a $50 weekly boost to 143,000 working families through the In-Work Tax Credit. Despite widespread concern over rising fuel prices, officials maintain that New Zealand currently has sufficient fuel stocks (58.7 days of petrol, 52.2 days of diesel) and that the National Fuel Response Plan remains in Phase One. However, sharp criticism emerges over the exclusion of low-income workers without children and care workers from direct support, with opposition MPs accusing the government of economic recklessness and failing vulnerable groups. The debate intensifies over the government's refusal to release internal fuel modelling, its decision to freeze road user charges, and its controversial handling of the Marsden Point refinery decommissioning. Meanwhile, ministers announce incremental welfare increases for 1.5 million New Zealanders, including seniors and students, and confirm progress on Cyclone Gabrielle recovery projects in Hawke’s Bay. The session ends with a focus on future preparedness, including emergency fuel prioritization and a new hospital in South Auckland, as the government navigates both immediate crises and long-term structural challenges.