John MacDonald: The only way to stop the tanks running dry episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 12, 2026 · 4 MIN

John MacDonald: The only way to stop the tanks running dry

from Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald · host Newstalk ZB

Aside from trying to make sure we don’t run out of fuel because of what’s going on in the middle east, the other challenge the Government has on its hands is that we’re not the country we were six years.  Six years ago, when COVID first hit, we were much more compliant. Way more than we are now.  Six years ago - by and large - we all went along with all the restrictions and the initial lockdowns without too much resistance.  These days, it’s a different story. Which is why i think the government would be pushing it uphill with some of the fuel conservation ideas being thrown around.  I think it’s brilliant that the Government is thinking about this now and not waiting until the tanks are starting to go dry. Which is about 50 days away from happening, according to Finance Minister Nicola Willis  She says if new orders started being disrupted, then the Government would have to think about prioritising fuel for the likes of emergency services and the transport industry and other measures, such as car-less days, fuel rationing and working from home.   Let’s start with car-less days. The only way I could see them working was if insurance companies came out and said they wouldn’t cover a vehicle if it was driven on the nominated car-less day.  I don’t think more working from home would make much difference, either. Because people would still use their vehicles.   If anything, fuel rationing would be the only practical way of reducing fuel consumption. Because, if you can’t buy it, you can’t use it.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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