The Government's temporary $50/week boost to the In-Work Tax Credit starts 7 April 2026. Answer a few quick questions to see if you're likely eligible — and whether it covers your increased fuel costs.
Most boaties know this one. Check your manual if unsure.
3Fuel consumption
L/hr
Optional - check your engine specs or fuel flow gauge
~40 hp
~8 L/hr
~90 hp
~17 L/hr
~115 hp
~20 L/hr
~150 hp
~28 L/hr
~200 hp
~36 L/hr
~250 hp
~47 L/hr
~300 hp
~55 L/hr
~350 hp
~68 L/hr
Twin ~150
~56 L/hr
Twin ~250
~94 L/hr
Cruise estimates based on Yamaha, Mercury, Honda and Suzuki manufacturer data. Actual consumption varies by hull, load, and conditions. Running an older carbureted 2-stroke? Add roughly 30% to these figures.
4How you use it
hours
Optional - total hours on the water per outing
trips
Optional - how often you get out during boating season
Cost impact
Your fuel crisis impact
Your trip fuel cost today
-
-
Before the crisis-
Price increase-
Extra cost-
Estimate based on current national average fuel prices and your vehicle's rated efficiency.
Per week
Per month
Per year
Ways to offset
☕
Cut -bought coffees a week to cover the extra fuel cost
🚗
Carpool 3 days a week could save ~-/week
🚌
1 bus commute instead of driving saves even more. AT.govt.nz · Metlink
The breakdown
Your vehicle-
Fuel efficiency-
Weekly litres-
Before crisis-
Now-
Price increase-
Quick poll
Help NZ economists understand the crisis - 1 tap, anonymous
How low do you let your tank drop before filling up?
🚗 Drive smoother, not slower. Aggressive acceleration can increase fuel use by 20–40%. Ease onto the accelerator, coast to slow down, keep your speed steady.
🔧 Check your tyre pressure. Two minutes at any petrol station, costs nothing. Under-inflated tyres can cost you up to 3% more fuel.
🗺️ Combine your trips. A cold engine uses significantly more fuel for the first few km. Three separate errands = three cold starts. Do them all in one go.
Boat fuel costs
Your boat fuel impact
Estimates based on your inputs at consistent cruise speed. Actual consumption varies with hull type, load, sea conditions, and throttle use. For the most accurate results, enter your actual L/hr from your engine's fuel flow gauge.
The breakdown
Save fuel on the water
🚤 Trim your engine properly. Running bow-high or bow-low wastes fuel. Find the sweet spot where the hull runs cleanest - usually 2-5 degrees bow up.
⚓ Slow down a little. Dropping from WOT to 75% throttle can cut fuel consumption nearly in half. A few less knots, a lot less cost.
🔧 Clean your hull. Fouling on the hull and prop creates drag. A clean bottom can save 10-15% on fuel over a season.
🌊 Work with the tides. Running against a strong current burns significantly more fuel. Time your trips around tidal flows and you'll use less fuel getting where you're going and back.