Petrol price war heats up in Auckland

Photo / Dean Purcell

The petrol pump war has moved up a gear with Z petrol stations entering the fray and slashing prices.

Yesterday Gull petrol stations across Auckland offered motorists petrol with a saving of more than 20c per litre.

At least one Z station in Auckland (Green Bay) was offering 91 octane at around $1.56.

Z spokesperson Jonathan Hill confirmed today prices for Z petrol have dropped nationwide by 3 cents on all petrol grades, fueling a petrol price war.

Hill said the 3 cents decrease was simply to reflect decreasing global prices.

Z stations are all company owned and operated, with around two thirds of the industry being operated independently, he said.

Global oil prices - already at low levels - have slumped further in the past few days to below US$S35 a barrel.

US inventories have continued to surge while global demand has remained subdued.

Meanwhile the kiwi dollar, which effect the price New Zealanders pay at the pump, has risen back above US67c.