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Gull and Shell petrol stations are refusing to raise their prices a further six cents a litre until at least tomorrow.
Most motorists are now paying 12c a litre more for petrol than they did at the start of the week following a further price rise from the other major petrol companies today.
But Gull are still holding at $2.05.99 a litre with Shell at $2.06.99 a litre.
BP and Mobil raised their prices 6c a litre today, just two days after imposing a similar price rise.
Standard unleaded 91 octane petrol is now selling for $2.12.9 a litre, 95 octane for $2.17.9 and diesel $1.85.9.
Caltex matched the rise this afternoon, and Shell was deciding this afternoon whether to match the price spike.
The rises follow a hike in world oil prices late last week, when oil jumped to a record price of more than US$139 ($185) a barrel.
Shell said it would not put its prices up in response to the other three major companies.
"While we are seeing the effects of last week's spike in crude oil flow through to the refined price of oil, after a second review of prices this afternoon we have decided to hold our current prices for as long as possible," spokeswoman Jackie Maitland said.
"We recognise that our customers are concerned about the rising price of fuel. We remain committed to our promise to review prices regularly so we can offer the best possible price to our customers."
Caltex public affairs manager Sharon Buckland said the company had been restrained in its price rise on Tuesday.
She said today's price lift was a result of the same increase in world oil prices last week.
The worldwide price increase has been blamed in part on supply issues and comments by an Israeli minister about a possible attack on Iran, the world's fourth-largest producer.
Banks such as Goldman Sachs and Barclays were prominent among those saying oil market fundamentals were a key factor in rising prices.
However oil producers, including Opec, have blamed the rise on speculators.
Some Opec officials have predicted the price of oil would hit US$150 by August.
- NZPA, NZ HERALKD STAFF
