Government departments across the board have been instructed to halt all non-essential travel due to the Auckland fuel crisis.
Dozens more flights have been cancelled and some petrol stations are running short on premium fuel as repairs continue on the damaged fuel pipeline to Auckland.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment chief executive Carolyn Tremain confirmed the halt on air travel, and said in a statement public servants were being asked to defer non-essential air travel in and out of Auckland.
"With the pressure on aviation fuel supplies, it is prudent the public sector does what it can to help the airlines and the fuel suppliers meet the challenges of the situation."More than 30 flights, including 12 international trips, were cancelled on Tuesday morning. Auckland Airport is urging passengers to check their flight with their airline or the Auckland Airport website.
The leak, caused by a digger 8km south of Marsden Point oil refinery in Northland, was discovered last Thursday, and this week was expected to affect about 2000 travellers a day as jet fuel is rationed.
The damage has led to the 170km pipeline's temporary shutdown, with airlines restricted to 30 percent of their normal jet fuel usage. It is believed the damage could take up to two weeks to repair.
A spokesperson for Northland Regional Council declined to confirm reports a farmer had been taking out a kauri tree when the pipe was hit.
He said most swamp kauri extraction on farmland in Northland did not require resource consent from the regional council, and none had been issued for the area where the pipe was damaged.
"As with any spill, the regional council is investigating the circumstances leading up to it and will consider what, if any, further action is appropriate in due course".That included possible formal action.
"However, the council stresses any such action is currently secondary to its primary focus; ensuring the appropriate recovery of the spilled fuel and clean-up of the site."
Refining New Zealand said repairs were on schedule, and expected to resume deliveries to its Wiri storage depot between Sunday and Tuesday next week.
Meanwhile, fuel is being trucked into Auckland for retail customers, with the petrol industry predicting commuters won't be affected.
But petrol company Z Energy said four of its stations ran out of high-octane 95 fuel on Monday and more may do the same on Tuesday, because it had prioritised diesel and 91 petrol deliveries.
"All grades of fuel are being trucked into the city and there is no cause for concern," communications manager Jonathan Hill said.
In a statement, BP said all fuel grades were available at their stations around the country.
The navy is also assisting, with the HMNZS Endeavour carrying fuel from Marsden Point around the country and Defence Force drivers helping with deliveries.
Although about two tankers' worth of fuel - up to 80,000 litres - spilled at Ruakaka, Refining NZ said water testing indicated no contamination of surrounding waterways from the leak.
Air quality monitoring had also shown no health hazard. It expected no long-lasting environmental impact.
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