Under the Pump: The High-Stakes Hustle of New Zealand’s Fuel Tanker Drivers

Follow a Tranzliquid tanker driver as they hustle to refill dry petrol stations amid panic buying and the global fuel crisis. Learn about the logistical strain on NZ's supply chain.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 9:29 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Breaking Development: 80,000 Litres and a 12:45 AM Start

For drivers like Cody Munro of Tranzliquid, the "new normal" involves grueling shifts to stay ahead of consumer demand.

The Load: A typical delivery involves a 50-tonne Kenworth carrying roughly 38,000 to 40,000 litres of fuel—a mix of diesel and 91 petrol with a street value of approximately $210,000.

Daily Volume: On local routes, a single driver can deliver between 200,000 and 240,000 litres across five to six stations in one day.

The "Panic" Factor: While logistics teams plan for school holidays and concerts, panic buying "blows everything out," making it impossible to stick to meticulously planned delivery routes.

Background and Strategic Context: Why Stations Ran Dry