Petrol Prices Surge Past $3 in Major New Zealand Cities

Petrol prices have surged past $3 per litre in New Zealand’s major cities, raising concerns about the continued impact of rising fuel costs on consumers and businesses. Over the weekend, prices for 91 octane petrol reached as high as 317.9 cents per litre at various gas stations, notably at Z service stations in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch. The ongoing turmoil in the Middle East has contributed to these escalating costs.

According to the fuel price monitoring app Gaspy, the highest recorded price was at Z in Alicetown, Lower Hutt. Other stations reported prices of 315.9 cents per litre. Local taxi driver, Ramie Bithyou, expressed frustration while refueling at a BP station, noting that the cost to fill his tank had jumped from below $100 to approximately $150. “It’s very bad,” he stated, emphasizing the adverse effects on his already struggling business.

Young commuters are also feeling the pinch. Kaia Holborow, 23, lamented not having filled up earlier, as she travels from Newtown to Lower Hutt for work. “I’m not looking forward to that,” she said, relieved she is no longer a student facing these high costs. Another commuter, Jackson Keightley, is delaying filling his tank until payday, questioning the rapid rise in prices despite existing fuel reserves.

Reports indicate that New Zealand’s five bulk fuel importers—Z, BP, Mobil, Gull, and Timaru Oil Services—have sufficient petrol to meet normal demand for 33 days and diesel for 27 days. Although additional supplies are en route, they have not yet entered the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Transporting NZ head, Dom Kalasih, attributed rising prices to panic buying rather than supply shortages.

The Commerce Commission is actively monitoring fuel prices, with Commissioner Bryan Chapple stating no unjustified increases have been detected so far. Nevertheless, the trend of petrol stations selling fuel at or above $3 per litre became apparent on Friday, with prices at Waitomo, typically known for lower rates, reaching 297.9 cents per litre on Hutt Road.

In Christchurch, the average price for petrol hit $3.02 per litre on Sunday. The West Coast saw the highest price in the South Island, with one Gaspy user reporting 330.9 cents per litre at a station in Harihari. Nearby areas such as Fox Glacier and Franz Josef/Waiau also reported prices exceeding 309.9 cents.

While petrol prices in Hamilton have not yet crossed the $3 mark, smaller centres in the Waikato region, including Morrinsville and Horotiu, have seen prices rise above this threshold. Compounding the issue, several Gull petrol stations in Auckland have reportedly run out of fuel for the second time in three days, highlighting the growing concern among consumers.

As fuel prices continue to rise, the impact on daily life and local businesses becomes increasingly significant, prompting many to question how long these escalating costs will persist.