Title: Reinstate Marsden Point Oil Refinery: Securing New Zealand's Fuel Independence

Introduction: We, the undersigned, urge the New Zealand government to prioritise the reinstatement of the Marsden Point Oil Refinery as a national strategic asset, bypassing the current investigation stage.

The closure of this critical facility has significantly impacted New Zealand's fuel security, making us overly reliant on costly imports and exposing us to geopolitical risks.

Background: The Marsden Point Oil Refinery, once New Zealand's only oil refinery, played a crucial role in ensuring the country's energy security. It was responsible for producing the majority of our jet fuel, all shipping fuel oil, and more than half of our diesel.

Its closure has led to:

• Job Losses: The closure resulted in the loss of approximately 240 direct jobs and affected thousands more indirectly. The refinery's transition to a storage facility reduced the workforce from about 300 to just 60 workers, impacting the local economy significantly, particularly in Northland.
• Local Economic Impact: The closure has had a ripple effect on the local economy. A study indicated that each job at the refinery supported about eight additional jobs in the community, suggesting that up to 4,000 jobs could be affected. This has led to increased unemployment and economic hardship in the region.
• Fuel Security: The closure has raised concerns about New Zealand's energy security. The country is now entirely dependent on imported refined fuels, making it vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions. This dependency increases the risk of fuel shortages and price volatility, especially in times of international conflict or supply chain disruptions.
• Loss of Domestic Refining Capability: With the refinery's closure, New Zealand lost its ability to refine domestic crude oil, which could have provided more flexibility and security in fuel supply. This change has been criticised as leaving the country exposed to international market fluctuations.
  Industrial and Strategic Implications
• Loss of By-products: The refinery produced several by-products, such as CO2 for food packaging, sulphur for fertilizers, and bitumen for asphalt. The closure has led to increased costs and reliance on imports for these materials, affecting various industries and infrastructure projects.
• Potential for Biofuels: The refinery could have been repurposed for biofuels production, which would have supported New Zealand's transition to sustainable energy sources. The closure may have closed off this potential pathway, delaying the development of a biofuels industry

Key Issues:

• The ongoing investigation into reopening Marsden Point delays necessary action to secure New Zealand's energy future. 
• The coalition agreement between the National Party and New Zealand First emphasises the need for a fuel security plan, not just an energy security plan, to safeguard New Zealand's transport and logistics systems from disruptions. 
• Reinstating the refinery would restore the production of high-quality by-products like bitumen, CO2, and sulphur, essential for infrastructure projects and industrial applications. 

Call to Action:

We demand the government to: 

1. Expedite the reinstatement of Marsden Point Oil Refinery as a national strategic asset, bypassing the investigation stage to address urgent fuel and by-product needs.

Conclusion: Reopening Marsden Point is essential not only for fuel security but also for maintaining the quality and cost-effectiveness of New Zealand's infrastructure projects. It is a strategic move to safeguard our energy independence and resilience.

Join us in demanding immediate government intervention to reinstate this vital facility.

Sign the Petition: Your support is crucial. Sign this petition to help secure New Zealand's energy independence and infrastructure reliability. Please share also!

For more information see:

www.cafes.org.nz​

www.operationgoodoil.co.nz

Email: admin@cafes.org.nz