Rants & Raves: Papatoetoe petrol prices pushing it

Has regional petrol price disparity gone too far? Photo / File

Tell us what you love about life in New Zealand - and what needs to change. Email rantandrave@nzherald.co.nz

Rant
Why is there such a huge difference in petrol prices from one station to the next? I live in Papatoetoe but will drive to Otara because it is up to 20c cheaper than the petrol stations in Papatoetoe. And friends of mine who live in Glendowie and on the North Shore will include a weekly drive out to south Auckland to get cheaper petrol and groceries.

Natasha Leo

Rave
Our home is in the middle of the major road works on Tirau St, Putaruru. Work started on January 18 and it has been difficult with the dust and access to our home, but the road needed to be repaired. The contractors have gone out of their way to help us - they offered accommodation in a motel while they worked at night, they cleared the way when we needed to get in or out of our driveway. It makes me angry when I hear the workers abused, and screamed at by rude, impatient drivers. Our lives are dependent on the quality of their workmanship.

Ann

Rant
Upon our first visit to NZ back in 1990, we remember how clean, fresh and friendly everything was. No litter on the roads in the towns or cities and very well maintained attractions/tourist sites. We remember while visiting Paihia, a local commented that the people from North America were the only ones that littered and they did not appreciate their attitudes. Well, we have been back four additional times to visit family, friends and enjoy your beautiful country. Each visit it seemed to get progressively worse, with litter, people being rude and lacking the original peace and tranquillity. We're just back from our most recent visit, having travelled extensively on buses and trains. The locals are clearly disrespecting your customs and traditions. Several times while on the buses and trains many locals would leave their garbage on the floors or on their seats. Clean up your act NZ, you're losing something that was once something to be proud of and something that could be enjoyed by everyone.

CS
Canada

Rave
To Ken and Rosemary who live around Onehunga Bay and who assisted my family to shore. Thank you for everything - it sure was Good Friday.

Javan's family

Rant
To the person who found my treasured ring in Warkworth on Waitangi Day, then phoned me to find out if it was genuine and never returned it - the reward is still waiting.

Jo-ann

Rave
Yeah! - It's so nice that daylight saving has ended for another season and we can wake up in the daylight and see the sun shining to herald the start of another glorious Auckland morning. I can't help thinking that daylight savings goes on about two or three weeks too long.

Glen Stanton