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The Automobile Association (AA) is calling for an independent inquiry into skyrocketing petrol and diesel prices.
It wants a probe into oil company profit margins and a comparison with similar markets like Australia.
"New Zealand motorists have a suspicion that Australians are getting a better deal on prices, let's find out if this is true," AA motoring affairs general manager Mike Noon said.
According to AA PetrolWatch, diesel prices have more than doubled in the last 12 months compared to a 25 per cent increase in petrol prices.
Mr Noon said the reasons for rises in international oil prices were unclear. Commentators were saying the increases were mostly due to speculators investing in commodity markets.
Motorists have been hit hard by the record fuel prices and are increasingly distrustful of oil companies, which continue to announce record profits.
The AA also recently called for the GST component on petrol excise to be removed, a move that would reduce prices by 5.6 cents per litre.
Mr Noon said it was a tax on a tax.
- NZPA
