Petrol price hike due to anomaly

Whangarei woman Sally Elson keeps an eye on the price of petrol at BP Riverside Drive, and was shocked when she saw a leap from $2.03 per litre to $2.20 per litre for 91 petrol in a fortnight.

BP communications manager Jonty Mills said the huge disparity in price is noticed by customers because Whangarei is a "hot spot" and the Riverside Drive station had previously priced its fuel with a discount.

"There is a very competitive local market, so people will have seen a lot of activity in that area in the last week," Mr Mills said.

The national price of petrol has risen seven cents in a month. However, Whangarei locals have noticed an extra hike due to BP offering a competitive $2.03 per litre when the national average was $2.09 per litre.

"While the national average was $2.09, that particular location was selling at six cents below the average," Mr Mills said.

"I can understand that people have noticed the disparity."

The price of petrol has increased across the country twice in February.

In a statement from Automobile Association New Zealand, Mark Stockdale said the three cents per litre rise in fuel prices was apparently led by BP.

"Commodity prices are only up just over a cent since the last increase, so a 3c retail price is difficult to justify," the statement said.

Fuel prices are at their highest since April 2012.

Mr Mills said the competitive market in Whangarei is not going to change.

"We will continue to compete strongly in price wherever and whenever we can."