Increasing fuel costs and inflation will push people already doing it tough over the edge, Letele said. “These people are going to be trying to siphon petrol to then sell it. There is more of this wave of crime coming, I’m telling you right now.”Community activist and former boxer David Letele. The price increase has even caused auto stores across Auckland to sell out of petrol containers as some Kiwis look to stock up on fuel. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said on Sunday there was about 50 days of petrol and diesel in the country, or on its way here.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 17, 2026 13:34 UTC