Diesel prices have jumped 42.6 percent in the past month and petrol is up 18.6 percent, with Labour accusing the government of sitting back and “hoping for the best” as the cost of living keeps climbing.

Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said the latest figures showed households were being hit from every angle.

“New Zealanders are being squeezed from every direction. Groceries, power bills, fuel, it’s all going up. National promised to fix the cost of living. Instead, it keeps getting worse.”

She said food prices were also outpacing the government’s minimum wage increase.

“Meat, poultry and fish prices are up 7.3 percent over the last year. Food overall is up 3.4 percent, outpacing the government’s meagre minimum wage rise. Costs are climbing faster than families and businesses can keep up with.”

Edmonds said the fuel price surge was now flowing through to the industries that kept the economy running.

“Costs were already too high before the fuel crisis. Now it’s hitting the industries that keep the economy moving, farmers, manufacturers, tradies, truck drivers.”

She accused the government of leaving the country exposed to rising prices.

“Instead of helping people with the cost of living like they promised, National has made decisions that have left New Zealand more vulnerable and exposed to rising prices. This government is asleep at the wheel as fuel stocks fall and prices keep rising.”

Edmonds said the fuel crisis should be the government’s top priority.

“Dealing with the fuel crisis should be National’s top priority. Instead, they’re sitting back and hoping for the best. Hope is not a plan, and it’s leaving families and firms in the dark.”