Drivers still shopping around for petrol

PUMP: Tauranga redisdent Sharyn Tumataroa, 46, doesn't shop around for petrol prices. PHOTO/RUTH KEBER

Motorists can save up to 12 cents a litre if they are willing to shop around, a Bay of Plenty Times survey reveals.

Petrol prices are down in the Bay but residents still like to shop around for the best prices, according to Bay of Plenty Times readers.

Yesterday, 91 octane fuel was being sold at $1.879 at BP Maunganui Rd, $1.959 a litre at Gull Station on Hewletts Rd in Mt Maunganui and $2.079 a litre at Z on Fifteenth Ave.

Automobile Association Petrolwatch spokesman Mark Stockdale said a drop in commodity prices had brought petrol prices down across the country to a national average of $2.08 a litre for 91 octane fuel.

Prices were even lower where Gull stations were present as other providers were forced to effectively sell petrol below their costs to match Gull.

Ian Stewart filled up his car at Gull Hewletts Rd yesterday. He had a Countdown voucher which entitled him to a four cents per litre discount. "I'm taking my daughter to Auckland Airport on the weekend so this seemed like a good time to fill up."

Mr Stewart said he usually bought petrol at the Gull station, at Mobil Chapel St or at a BP station where he got a discount for being an AA member.

In a Bay of Plenty Times' Facebook survey, several Bay of Plenty residents said they were still willing to travel for the best price. Tauranga residents Jen Missen and Melanie Kennedy both said they drove past three petrol stations to get cheaper fuel. "It's so worth it."

Maree Nunyabizo said she had travelled to Mobil on Chapel St because the petrol was six cents cheaper than the Mobil closer to her home, while Phillip McMurtrie said he travelled to Gull on Hewletts Rd - despite having petrol stations closer to his Greerton home.

Other residents reported driving from Pyes Pa to the Chapel St Mobil. In one instance, a resident said she filled up in Rotorua because the petrol was much cheaper there.

Mr Stockdale said AA expected prices to come down again in the next few weeks, as commodity prices declined.

In the South Island, Wellington, Taranaki and other areas without Gull stations, petrol prices would not drop as low as areas with Gull stations, as providers had to price their petrol higher to make up for the losses they made competing with Gull.

- Additional reporting Sonya Bateson