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Petrol companies have again pushed up the price of petrol - the fifth in a fortnight - blaming the rise on the increased international cost of refined petrol.
Caltex, BP and Shell have all increased their petrol prices by six cents a litre.
The three petrol companies are now selling unleaded 91 for 158.9 cents a litre in the main centres. Mobil has so far not returned phone calls.
Gull has so far refused to raise their prices.
Caltex spokeswoman Sharon Buckland said the rise was due to the low New Zealand dollar and high refined oil prices.
BP spokeswoman Diana Stretch said the increase in prices at the pump was also due to the cost of refined petrol going up and the New Zealand dollar was "making it worse".
The price of petrol has risen 26c since January 14.
Shell spokeswoman Jackie Maitland said the rise was also due to the international price of fuel.
She said there was more demand world-wide for petrol than diesel and that was increasing the price of petrol while diesel remained stagnant.
Ms Maitland also sighted the weakening New Zealand dollar.
"It's great for the exporters but not for us," she said.
"The price we pay here will ultimately be determined by the cost of products internationally and how strong our dollar is.
"So, there is not much we can influence in that area."
Meanwhile, Gull is holding out and has not increased prices. Spokesman Ulrik Olsen said the company would not be increasing petrol prices today but would be reviewing tomorrow.
The AA said last week that a decline in the New Zealand dollar to six-year lows had driven the fourth petrol price rise in just over a week.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
