FUEL FILE UPDATE: WHAT GOVERNMENT WON’T SAY

FUEL FILE UPDATE: WHAT GOVERNMENT WON’T SAY

We’ve been investigating fuel pricing, refinery decisions, and petroleum permits using the Official Information Act 1982.

WHAT WE ASKED FOR

– Fuel pricing breakdowns

– Marsden Point refinery decisions

– Government modelling and risk assessments

– Historical petroleum permits (Taranaki Basin)

– Ministerial briefings and Cabinet papers

WHAT THEY SAID

Across agencies like The Treasury, MBIE, and the Commerce Commission:

– “Too broad”

– “We don’t hold it”

– “Ask another agency”

– “We’d have to search to find out if it exists”

Even after refinement.

WHAT THIS REALLY MEANS

They’re not saying the information doesn’t exist.

They’re saying:

“We won’t identify it unless you already know exactly what it is.”

This creates a closed loop:

– You can’t request it without knowing it

– They won’t find it unless you request it precisely

WHAT THEY DIDN’T PROVIDE

– No clear fuel price breakdown

– No full refinery impact analysis

– No decision accountability chain

– No transparent historical record access

THE BIGGER ISSUE

This isn’t just fuel.

It’s a system where information exists — but isn’t practically accessible.

Not hidden outright.

Just structured out of reach.

WHAT WE’RE DOING

– Filing Ombudsman complaints

– Submitting precision-targeted requests

– Reconstructing the decision trail manually

WHY IT MATTERS

Fuel affects:

– Cost of living

– National supply security

– Economic stability

These are long-term decisions.

But right now:

You can’t properly examine them unless you already know the answer.

BOTTOM LINE

This isn’t transparency.

This is controlled visibility.