A common email question is ‘how much does petrol cost in NZ’
The answer of cause has fluctuated wildly of late but prices very depending on the area that you purchase it. Heres a few tips -
Petrol in the major centres ie; Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and major towns vary little between supplier companies although some companies offer premium octane at levels higher than their competitors. For example BP offers 98 octane whereas other brands offer 95 or 96. All companies offer standard unleaded 91octane that is suitable for most cars.
At the date of positing major centres 91 unleaded is $2.019 per litre, 95 and 96 octane $2.089, 98 unleaded $2.169 and Diesel is $1.799.
Prices in small towns are usually 5 to 10 cents per litre more than the major towns and cities. Fuel prices in very small towns that usually have only one or two pumps that are commonly part of a general store or tourist business and not operated by the major fuel companies, can be as much as 25 to 50 cents per litre more than city prices. These fuel outlets have higher transport costs but are clearly taking advantage of the ‘desperation’ or ‘no choice’ purchaser.
‘Last fuel stop for x amount of km’s’. I personally know of a few of these signs that are incorrect and can be found on the West Coast of the South Island. Beware of these although many are correct others are not and there purpose is to lure non locals to their pumps and inflated prices.
All the major super markets offer discount fuel vouchers that enable discounts of between 4 and 10 cents per litre at the national chain petrol centres.