Queues formed at petrol stations across Tonga as fuel panic buying grew, but Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua moved to reassure the public that there is no immediate shortage.
It comes as regional tensions have surged after the US‑Israel war with Iran, which began on 28 February 2026 and has now entered its 17th day, triggering missile and drone attacks across the Middle East and disrupting vital oil routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict has led to heightened fears over global fuel supply stability, contributing to public anxiety in countries like Tonga.
Fuel prices in New Zealand are genuinely rising and some petrol stations — mainly Gull — have temporarily run out of fuel due to panic buying.
However, the Luxon government says NZ’s overall fuel supply remains secure, with several weeks of stock both in the country and en route.
The temporary outages are caused by sudden surges in demand, not by an actual nationwide shortage, it says.
Fakafanua Addresses Fuel Concerns
The Tongan government says the kingdom still has sufficient fuel supplies and there is no need for panic.
It says Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua met with national energy stakeholders on Monday to review Tonga’s Energy Security Strategy.
The meeting on 16 March brought together senior officials and sector representatives to assess the country’s current fuel reserves and long-term energy resilience.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the discussions confirmed that Tonga’s immediate fuel supply remains stable.
In a statement, the government urged the public not to engage in panic buying or unnecessary queuing at petrol stations, saying there is no immediate risk of shortages.
To provide further clarity, the Prime Minister’s Office will host a press conference on Thursday, 19 March 2026 at 9am, where the government is expected to outline its broader energy security plans and answer media questions.
