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Airlines are bracing themselves for fuel rationing during the busy Christmas travel period after a bad batch of aviation gas entered the country.
Z Energy, which is the owner of the dud shipment, told airlines last night they'd need to conserve fuel in coming weeks.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says routine fuel testing of a jet fuel shipment has raised some concerns and there is a potential impact to jet fuel supply.
Since April this year - the country's only oil refinery based at Marsden Point ceased operations and became an import-only terminal for already-refined products.
David Keat worked at Marsden Point Refinery for 27 years - becoming Refining Manager - second in charge under the CEO.
He says if Marsden Point had retained the capacity to refine - the aviation fuel could be reprocessed, and he is concerned about the country's fuel security.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly