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Summarised by Centrist
The outbreak of war involving Iran is already having tangible effects in New Zealand, with intelligence agencies monitoring the conflict, petrol prices climbing and the government preparing to evacuate citizens from the Middle East.
New Zealand’s signals intelligence agency, the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), told MPs it is supplying “round-the-clock threat intelligence updates” as the situation unfolds.
“This week’s major conflict in the Middle East is no exception, and our team has been providing round-the-clock threat intelligence updates to our customers, especially to the NZDF and MFAT,” Director-General Andrew Clark told Parliament’s intelligence and security committee.
Clark said the information shared with the Five Eyes network was of “really significant” value in combating threats, including cyber attacks, terrorism and organised crime.
At the same time, petrol prices have jumped sharply as oil markets react to uncertainty in the Middle East. In some parts of the country, motorists are already paying more than $3 a litre for 95 petrol.
Gaspy spokesperson Mike Newton said, “I think while there’s so much uncertainty, we’re just going to keep seeing prices rise.”
Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen warned that if oil reached US$100 a barrel, petrol could rise to between $3.20 and $3.30 a litre and place new pressure on inflation.
Meanwhile, two New Zealand Defence Force C-130J Hercules aircraft are being pre-deployed to the Middle East, alongside consular staff, so they can evacuate civilians if conditions allow.
Around 3000 New Zealanders are currently registered as living in the Middle East.
