Petrol 15 cents cheaper at Raglan than in Katikati is a clear indication of strong competition in the North Island fuel industry, says Mark Stockdale, the AA's petrol prices, senior policy analyst.

However, the diversity of fuel prices is not necessarily pleasing the public.

Petrol was $174.9 at Katikati BP on March 16. Photos: Elaine Fisher.

'The biggest complaint we used to get about fuel prices was that there was no price competition regardless of brand. Now we get complaints about the differences in prices. Many people are confused about the price variations.”

On a road trip from Katikati, through Tauranga and Hamilton to Raglan last week Coast & Country News editor Elaine Fisher recorded a variety of prices for 91 octane fuel at different stations.

'Interestingly I found the cheapest, $159.9, and the dearest, $181.9 at Raglan. The small Te Uku Waitomo brand petrol station, just outside Raglan, had the cheapest price while the dearest was in Raglan itself at the BP station,” she says.

'BP Katikati's price was $174.9 and up the road Katikati Caltex was offering fuel at $173.9. Gull at Whakamara and Bethlehem and BP Te Puna were all advertising 91 at $170.9.

'Prices in Hamilton varied between $169.9 at G.A.S Whatawhata to as low as $160.9 at Mobile Hillcrest.”

Petrol at Waitomo Station, Te Uku, near Raglan was $159.9 on March 16.

Mark says the low price at Waitomo Te Uku is probably explained because it is a small independent company which has lower over-heads and can pick and choose where it has stations, as compared with the major brands which offer a service across the country.

'The cheapest prices are often found in self-service stations which have no staff, and that's what you would expect.”

Mark says the Waikato and Bay of Plenty prices are also probably a reflection of the strength of the economy in these regions.

Price competition however, he says, is not so strong in the South Island.

The prices recorded (all for 91) on March 16 were:

BP Katikati - $174.9 – diesel 93.9

Caltex Katikati – 173.9 – diesel 84.9

Challenge Omokora – 172.9 diesel 89.9

Gull Whakamara – 170.9 - diesel 81.9

BP Te Puna - 170.9 – diesel 87.9

Z Bethlehem – 172.9 – diesel 89.9

Gull Bethlehem – 170.9 diesel 85.9

Mobil Hillcrest Hamilton – 160.9 diesel 82.9

Z Kahikatea Drive Hamilton - 165.9 diesel 79.9

Caltex Dinsdale area – 163.9 diesel 80.9

Waitomo Te Uku – 159.9 diesel 79.9

BP Raglan – 181.9 diesel 103.9