The New Zealand Government has confirmed it will keep its temporary $50 weekly fuel relief payment in place after forecasts showed petrol prices are likely to remain above $3.00 per litre for at least the next two months.

Cabinet today decided not to end the temporary support package despite average 91-octane petrol briefly remaining below the scheme's original trigger point for four consecutive weeks during July.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis said forecasts based on international oil futures now suggest fuel prices will stay above $3.00 per litre through August and September, making it too early to declare the fuel price crisis over.

"Based on the data in front of us, it remains too soon to declare a sustained stabilisation in the fuel price," Ms Willis said.

"When the Government introduced these measures, we indicated they would be temporary, either lasting for a limited 12-month period or until fuel prices had stabilised, whichever came sooner."

The temporary support package was introduced in March in response to soaring fuel prices caused by global oil market disruptions.

It includes a $50 weekly increase to the in-work tax credit for around 143,000 eligible working families, alongside higher mileage reimbursement rates for healthcare workers, eligible patients, and relief teachers.

Under the original policy, the measures could have ended once the national average price of 91-octane petrol remained below $3.00 per litre for four consecutive weeks.

That threshold was technically reached between July 5 and July 26, but fuel prices have since climbed back above $3.00.

According to fuel price monitoring service Gaspy, the national average price of 91 petrol is now $3.052 per litre, up 15.09 cents over the past 28 days. Diesel has risen even more sharply, increasing 33.37 cents to $2.704 per litre over the same period.

Premium grades have also continued climbing, with 95-octane averaging $3.234 per litre and 98-octane sitting at $3.375 per litre.

Ms Willis said Treasury advice provided to Cabinet on July 28 indicated international oil prices were expected to keep New Zealand pump prices above the Government's $3.00 benchmark for the foreseeable future.

"Treasury have advised me, and I've advised Cabinet, that as of July 28, based on pricing in international oil futures markets, our forecasters were expecting prices would likely remain above $3 through August and September before falling again," she said.

"Obviously, the oil price path, and therefore the national fuel price, is very difficult to predict right now."

She acknowledged there had been some positive signs internationally, including easing tensions in the Middle East, but said global conditions remained volatile.

Cabinet will continue monitoring fuel prices and will reconsider ending the support if average petrol prices again fall below $3.00 per litre on a sustained basis.

"I will report back to Cabinet if prices return to below $3 again," Ms Willis said.

The Government announced the temporary package in March, estimating it would cost up to $374 million if it remained in place for the full 12 months.

The decision means eligible families will continue receiving the additional $50 per week through the Working for Families in-work tax credit while fuel prices remain elevated.

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Government keeps $50 weekly fuel relief as petrol tipped to stay above $3

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