The jet fuel crisis is over, with Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods announcing that a fresh batch of uncontaminated fuel has arrived in the country.
There were fears last week that a contaminated shipment of jet fuel would force the cancellation of some flights over the summer period.
Today, Woods told reporters that "at midnight last night, it went back to normal. The latest shipment arrived on Monday in Whangārei."
The most recent shipment has "met its testing criteria, so Auckland's been able to get rid of its allocation model," said Woods.
The rationing was initially in place until the 18th of December but has been repealed three days early.
"I'd like to thank all of the airports and all of the fuel companies who have managed this through in a really sensible way."
"We haven't seen people not able to get home for Christmas. Christmas wasn't cancelled."
When asked whether there might be any more shortages this year, Woods said "The best information we have is that it is back to normal."
On Tuesday the 6th of December Z Energy, owner of the dud shipment, told airlines they would need to conserve fuel in the coming weeks.
Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison told Melissa Chan-Green on AM it was concerning New Zealand is relying on fuel coming in from offshore.
"Z [Energy] and the oil companies know this can happen and they should have put some contingencies in place until they build that capacity to store more fuel," he said.
Harrison said off-spec jet fuel would previously be diverted to Marsden Point to be refined which he claims would have no impact on airlines.
"So what we are seeing now is that there is no resilience... in the system," Harrison said.
On Thursday, Woods said, "there is another ship due to arrive tomorrow and another two before the end of the year."
"There's plenty of jet fuel making its way into New Zealand."
