Rotorua petrol prices remain low as national numbers rise

Local Jo Rangiawha remains loyal to Mobil on Te Ngae Rd despite the fuel price increase. Photo/Ben Fraser

Petrol prices have been on a steady rise as of late but Rotorua remains the benchmark for cheap petrol.

AA petrol price spokesman Mark Stockdale said yesterday national petrol prices had increased to $2.13 for 91 octane, the highest since July 2015.

"The NZ dollar has started to stabilise after dropping but high commodity prices are a large reason for the petrol increase."

The average price for 91 at five service stations across Rotorua yesterday was $1.89.8 which Stockdale said was much lower than other parts of the country.

"That's what we call a discount price. People in hubs like Auckland and Wellington would be paying much more."

He said regional areas, especially in the North Island, typically had lower prices due to more "aggressive competition".

"Rotorua has always been a great spot for cheap petrol and that's because of the amount of independently owned stations competing for customers."

Owner of Mobil on Te Ngae Rd, Matt Ralm, said Rotorua had always been competitive with its petrol prices and nothing had changed.

"With the New Zealand dollar dropping, prices have naturally gone up but the competitive nature to keep prices low remains.

"I always encourage people to shop around before filling up their cars."

He said Mobil Te Ngae had experienced a recent increase in out of towners stopping for petrol as they travelled through.

Jo Rangiawha said she was loyal to Te Ngae Rd Mobil.

"I live all the way out in Ngongotaha and I still wouldn't go anywhere else."

Manager of Lake Rd Gull, Parampreet Singh, also thinks the drop in the dollar is largely to blame for petrol prices rising.

"We've received some negative feedback from customers regarding our prices increasing but there's not much you can do. We always do our best to remain the cheapest on our side of town."

Singh said there hasn't been a drop in customer numbers.

"Everyone needs petrol at the end of the day."

Local prices for 91 octane*
Gull Lake Rd - 185.7c
Mobil Te Ngae Rd - 185.9c
Challenge Malfroy Rd - 185.9c
BP Fenton St - 193.9c
Z Energy Fenton St - 193.9c
Caltex Amohau St - 193.9c
* Not a complete list of service stations in Rotorua. As of yesterday morning.