When $6.40 was enough to drive from Auckland to Wellington

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Before the oil shock of 1973 petrol was just 10.5c a litre and you could drive from central Auckland to Wellington on $6.40 worth of fuel.

Two years later the same amount would barely get you to Taupo and by 1979 things were so bad we were being forced to have carless days.

What about now?

Twenty-five years after the first oil shock, motorists again face rapidly rising fuel prices, up to an average $2.13 in major centres this week.

So that same $6.40 of petrol would get you... just past Papakura.

* Calculations based on 9 litres for 100km.