Defence Force assisting in fuel transport

AUCKLAND: The Defence Force will start transporting fuel around the country today to help ease the shortage caused by a pipeline rupture.

HMNZS Endeavour will sail for the Marsden Point oil refinery and take on up to 4.8 million litres of diesel fuel this morning, taking it to ports around New Zealand.

‘‘Endeavour can provide the equivalent of 150 road tankers of fuel,’’ Joint Forces New Zealand commander Majorgeneral Tim Gall said.

‘‘Deploying the ship will free up commercial tankers to reconfigure and focus on moving aviation fuel. This will help ease distribution issues in other regional centres.’’

The army is also helping and 12 army staff will drive civilian tankers containing aviation fuel to Auckland, Palmerston North and Napier around the clock from today until September 30.

Earlier, Energy Minister Judith Collins confirmed a group of political and industry representatives met in Auckland yesterday morning.

She said truck drivers would be able to get overweight permits more easily and routes would be designated to allow tankers to transport fuel as quickly as possible.

Airlines in Auckland will continue operating with limited fuel supplies as rationing is expected to continue through until next week.

The companies have been operating with only 30% of their normal supplies.

Having cancelled 30 domestic and transtasman flights since Sunday, Air New Zealand said 3000 more travellers were affected by cancellations yesterday and 6000 more by schedule changes.

Jetstar has cancelled a handful of domestic flights.