Tauranga petrol cheapest in six years - at some stations

Ohauiti man Mike Lambert says his wife urges him to get petrol at Merivale Gull because of the price. Photo / Andrew Warner

Petrol prices at some Tauranga service stations are at their lowest point in six years - although the price between garages can vary by 21 cents per litre.

A survey of 12 petrol stations in Tauranga, Papamoa and Mount Maunganui yesterday showed a wide variety of prices, although most were under 165 cents per litre.

Mobil Chapel St, Gull Hewletts Rd and Gull Merivale were the cheapest surveyed, at 160.9 cents per litre, while the most expensive was Caltex Welcome Bay at 181.9 cents.

The last time Tauranga experienced petrol at 160.9 cents per litre was in January 2009, AA PetrolWatch spokesman Mark Stockdale said. This was all the more impressive because in 2009, motorists were paying 15 cents less tax, he said.

"If we were paying the same amount of tax today as in 2009 then the petrol price, based on 160.9 cents, would be 145.9."

The average price around the country was 172.9 cents per litre.

"Most Tauranga motorists are benefiting from price competition and are paying less than most Kiwis.

"That will have a lot to do with the presence of Gull in Tauranga," Mr Stockdale said.

"Wherever there is a Gull, their prices will be below nationwide prices because of their low-cost structure and that forces other brands to match those prices."

Mr Stockdale said it was disappointing that a station in Tauranga was charging higher than the nationwide price.

"A service station charging 181.9, that's what we'd see maybe in rural parts of New Zealand but that's not rural or far from the port so that seems a bit high.

"Where there is a smaller population, prices will be higher because of lower turnover."

Caltex spokesman Jeremy Clarke said Chevron New Zealand, which marketed the Caltex brand, aimed to provide competitive wholesale rates to its independently operated service stations around the country and the operators chose the final retail price.

"While locations can be geographically similar they operate in different competitive environments. This can lead to differences ... Bayfair in particular appears to be experiencing highly competitive conditions, which may be driving further reductions at the pump."

Z Energy senior communications manager Sheena Thomas said "intense pockets of competition" were cropping up around the country and driving prices down in those areas.

"Tauranga is one of the most competitive areas in New Zealand at the moment."

Gull retail business manager Graham Stirk said its 160.9 price at both sites surveyed was a "good price".

A Mobil customer service representative said a control team set its prices.

Petrol prices on January 15
*Mobil Causeway (Chapel St): 160.9 cents per litre
*Gull Hewletts Rd: 160.9
*Waitomo Hewletts Rd: 161.9
*Z Hewletts Rd: 162.9
*BP Maunganui Rd: 162.9
*Caltex Girven Rd: 162.9
*Z Domain Rd: 162.9
*Pak'nSave Papamoa: 164.9
*Caltex Welcome Bay: 181.9
*Waimapu Garage Oropi: 170.9
*Gull Merivale: 160.9
*BP Gate Pa: 172.9
*Z 11th Ave: 172.9
(prices surveyed between 12.30pm and 1.30pm)

What do you think?
Have your say below or email editor@bayofplentytimes.co.nz, go to our facebook page, text 021 241 4568 BOP (message) or write to Private Bag 12002.
Response may be published.