Concern over Whanganui fuel prices

Published on 23 February 2023

Whanganui District councillor Michael Law is concerned that the major petrol retailers are making excessive profits at the expense of Whanganui residents.

He says, “Driving around the city I’ve seen that most of the major petrol stations are charging more than $2.60 for regular 91 petrol, but just down the road at Bulls the Waitomo Fuel Stop is only charging $2.39 per litre.

“That means Whanganui residents are paying twenty to thirty cents a litre more for petrol just because they live in Whanganui. Let’s cut to the chase – our community is being ripped off.”

These additional costs can really add up, he says.

“A typical Whanganui family filling up their car once every two weeks could be paying more than $300 per year more for petrol compared to people living in other parts of the country. I’m really concerned that this extra money is just going to pad the petrol company’s profit margins when it should be helping Kiwi families get through the current cost of living crisis.”

“If Waitomo can sell petrol at $2.39 per litre and diesel at less than $2.13 per litre in Bulls, why can’t the others do the same?

“I can’t see any reason why fuel should be so expensive in Whanganui and I can’t help feeling our community is being gouged by the big fuel companies. We’re paying overinflated prices, so other regions benefit where the major players have to compete more on price. Something really needs to be done to increase competition and lower prices here for our people.”

Whanganui District Council’s chief executive David Langford agrees.

“While the council encourages people to switch to low emissions transport like walking, cycling or using public transport, we also recognise that for many people filling up the car is not a luxury but an essential in order to get to work or get the kids to and from school.

“Our community shouldn’t be paying more than is fair for essentials like transportation,” he says.

“Ideally the competition between the major petrol stations would keep prices down for our community, but that doesn’t seem to be working. So we’ve contacted the senior management at Waitomo and started talks to see if we can convince them to set up in Whanganui. Early indications are they’re very keen if the right site can be found.”

David Langford says, “We think Waitomo’s commitment to fairer prices for Kiwis will help bring some added competition to Whanganui and lower prices for our community at the petrol pump.”