Motorists buying petrol in Rotorua are being pumped a better deal than in Tauranga where the price for 91 octane is as much as 16 cents per litre more.

Some petrol stations in Rotorua are selling the fuel for $1.959 per litre, but after Tuesday's five cents per litre price hike, the same fuel in Tauranga is $2.119.

Z Energy communications manager Jonathan Hill says Rotorua has probably the most vigorous and intense regional price competition in the country.

'From time to time there are different prices in different regions as the various companies compete with each other on prices in different parts of the country.”

Jonathan says since the summer holidays began price competition has been strong in Rotorua.

'What I would say is the people of Rotorua are benefiting from that and Rotorua is the exception rather than the rule.”

He says people in Rotorua should make the most of the discount because the amounts being charged there do not reflect the true price the product.

'There is some very strong discounting going on.”