Fuel is scarce in Southland as the district continues to deal with widespread power outages.
Southland and Clutha districts remain under a state of local emergency as a result of wild weather that has knocked out power, water and communications.
Emergency controller Jonathan Shaw told Checkpoint the lack of power was also making fuel hard to come by.
"You're not going to be guaranteed to be able to get it at petrol stations ... so we are encouraging people only to drive if they really need to. Do not assume that there is fuel at your destination to get you back to where you need to be."
Fuel supplies were being prioritised for emergency services, and were also in demand for generators, Shaw said.
Two overturned trucks on the state highway between Balclutha and Dunedin after Thursday's wild weather. Photo: Ingrid Leary
It comes as more than 25,000 customers were without power in Southland and South Otago, according to electricity network management company PowerNet .
The company is warning that thousands might be without power until this time next week after severe winds caused extensive damage to infrastructure.
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