Independents 'the real losers'

The Motor Trade Association says New Zealand needs a close analysis of oil company margins, not just to reassure consumers but to save struggling independent service stations.

MTA communications manager Andy Cuming said the "real losers" of the current petrol pricing regime were independent petrol retailers and the communities they served.

"These include the many motorists throughout the country now having to make extended round trips to buy petrol for their cars because their local service stations have closed," he said.

"Since 1996, more than 53 per cent of the independent sites have had to close as oil companies have stonewalled all attempts to have the margin of just over 4c per litre available to the independents reviewed."