NZ fuel supplies face increased risk, and no price relief

The head of the country's biggest fuel importer says supplies are flowing as normal and expected but the risks have increased, while there is no prospect of significantly lower prices.

Supply lines from the Middle East through the Strait of Hormuz and the Saudi Arabian pipelines have been further pressured in the past week by the US-Iran conflict and the broader involvement of the Iranian aligned Houthi in Yemen.

Z Energy's chief executive Lindis Jones said New Zealand's fuel supplies have been flowing normally and meeting local demand.

"Supply remains secure, fuel is still moving, it's just taking longer and is more expensive to move, so it's just a story of price not supply security."

However, Jones said the risk margins for supplies have narrowed.