A rort at the pumps?

Record profits announced by BP New Zealand today feeds suspicion that motorists are being rorted over petrol prices according to the Opposition.

'Middle New Zealand knows it isn't getting a fair go over petrol prices' says Labour's Consumer Affairs spokesperson David Shearer.


Record profits pouring from the pump. Photo: File
.

BP New Zealand experienced a 16 per cent drop in sales volume in 2015. 'But then it made a record profit for its overseas owners.”

David Shearer says BP looks to have taken advantage of volatile oil prices, being quick to raise prices at the pump when oil prices rise but slow to drop them when they fall, thereby increasing their margins.

'This highlights the problem of competition and the unwise decision by the Commerce Commission to allow Z Energy to take over Caltex stations, thereby decreasing the number of players in the petrol market.”

David Shearer says we are a small country being 'stiffed” by international corporations that see us as a handy way to make profits on items that are a necessity.

Source: Office of David Shearer.

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10 comments

But hold on

Posted on 12-06-2016 10:18 | By Gigilo

If taxes are 80% of the cost of petrol, can we rely on the government to protect the people from profiteering?


Nothing new here

Posted on 12-06-2016 10:30 | By astex

We have all known for a long time that the petrol companies are ripping us off. Trouble is that Key and Co will not do anything about it.


Also air fares to Tauranga

Posted on 12-06-2016 12:28 | By Annalist

Real competition needs to be preserved to get fair petrol prices. if you need proof just take a look at Air NZ fares from Tauranga compared to where they have competition from Jetstar.


Best prices are at

Posted on 12-06-2016 12:54 | By Watchdog

Mobil Service Station at Chapel Street.They always have the consistently best prices. And, if you shop at New World, you get an extra 4 cents per litre off as well.


Too True There's a Rort at the Pumps!

Posted on 12-06-2016 14:20 | By Brian Richard Allen

There's a rort at the pumps, alright! A stand-over and shake-down fascissocialist-Left-facilitated Eighty-odd Cents per liter, to "employ" such of the otherwise deservedly unemployed as Mr Shearer and to buy the votes of the sick, the lame and the halt and of those others who're too stupid to know they're lied to -- and/or who are too mean-spirited and/or greedy, to care! -- Brian Richard Allen


only

Posted on 12-06-2016 18:39 | By Capt_Kaveman

one to goto and thats Gull the rest are a rip off BP Z are the worst


Watchdog

Posted on 12-06-2016 18:51 | By Kenworthlogger

Mobile are only competitive because there is a nearby Gull. Its called the Gull effect. You will only find good prices in towns that have a Gull. Bp can only make a profit if people buy their fuel. I never put any other brand fuel in my vehicle other than Gull. I will never give the others my money cause they have been ripping us off for years. If everyone did the same they would soon be out of business.


Look At

Posted on 12-06-2016 19:13 | By Merlin

Look at the margins on petrol MBIE graphs shows margin at 28 cents in 2013 in 2016 38 cents.Almost enough said except higher tax take for the government so not keen to get involved.


Mobil Rotorua

Posted on 12-06-2016 20:39 | By GlennSmith

On Te-Ngai Road are the cheapest. This station is the bomb. It is always the cheapest, and almost every week or two drop their price 10c for 24hrs. When Gull does their promo of dropping 10c, Mobil Te-Ngai will drop their price by a further 10c. Two weeks ago, the list price was 1.52 and if you spend over $40 on gas, you get another 10c off! Oh and the staff their are really nice too! :)


Gaspy to get cheapest furl

Posted on 13-06-2016 16:13 | By Ben Smith

I use a free app called GASPY to find the cheapest fuel in town. Its works really well. You can get it here www.gaspy.nz


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