Trunk FM owner Brian Portland said Taumarunui people have had enough of paying substantially more for petrol when compared to nearby towns. PHOTO SUPPLIED
TAUMARUNUI resident and radio station owner Brian Portland says people in his town are “being fleeced” over the prices they pay for petrol.
This was a grave concern in a region where so many people relied on their cars to get to medical and other important appointments in Hamilton and Taupō.
In his opinion, new Waitomo or Gull petrol retailers are needed urgently to improve competition.
“There are three retail petrol outlets in Taumarunui, Mobil and BP
in the town and Challenge at Manunui, but none of them seem interested in competitive pricing,” Brian said.
“As I write this, according to Gaspy BP is $2.64 a litre for 91, Mobil $2.54 and Challenge $2.53.”
“The BP in Te Kūiti is $2.42, Z Te Kūiti $2.32 and Gull $2.28 (source, Gaspy).
“Why the discrepancy between two towns about 80 km apart and in the case of BP stations, they are owned by the same person.”
Gas stations apparently all on the same delivery run showed a seemingly inexplainable range of prices for 91.
“GAS National Park is currently $2.58 and Caltex Ohakune $2.50 (source, Gaspy). But here’s the kicker – Gull in Taihape is $2.25 and Mobil Taihape also $2.25 a litre.
“Let’s look at Piopio: GAS Piopio is $2.45 and Z Waiouru $2.28 (source, Gaspy).
“Something is drastically wrong here.
“Are we being fleeced at the pump? In my opinion, yes.”
Brian, who hails from Taumarunui and owns Trunk FM, said fuel discounts failed to make any appreciable difference.
“When we look at the fuel price on the illuminated board displaying prices, we glance fleetingly at the price, 6 cents off or 10 cents off … My little brain goes ‘okay, $2.54 a litre, take 10c off that yeah, $2.44 that’s pretty good.”
“But alas, no. As I found out the other day, that is the (already) discounted price, supposedly.
“So, I asked, ‘what happens if you have a fuel card where you get a permanent 10c discount?’
“’No, that is the price as the attendant told me. We are being duped, in my opinion.
“I’m led to believe all the fuel comes from the same place, but don’t tell me it’s a freight cost because we live in Taumarunui.
“ I do not buy that. It is high time that we were treated with some transparency.
“Has somebody decided that we are stuck in the middle of the North Island and must pay extra charges?
“A Waitomo or Gull here would create far more competition in Taumarunui – simple as that.
“Many people who visit from out of town and other parts of this region have passed these same comments. We pride ourselves as a tourist playground, but sadly, the petrol prices, I believe, are not doing us any favours.”
He knows many will say it’s the price of driving your car, but he disagrees.
“No, it’s not, we need reliable transport in the region because a huge proportion of Taumarunui residents need to do business out of town, including the elderly and disabled.
“Most of the time, they must drive through to those appointments in Hamilton or Taupō. It’s time to make a stand.”
The owner of Taumarunui and Te Kūiti BP stations Neil Kelland said pricing was set not by himself but by BP New Zealand.
“I am not allowed to comment on prices because I do not set them, but if anyone thinks there is a huge profit margin being made on fuel they are mistaken,” he said.
The King Country News contacted BP, Mobil and Challenge to comment, but they did not respond in the time allowed.
