Selwyn Times: April 17, 2019

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Wednesday April 17 2019 7
News
COST: Petrol stations across the district were charging $2.30 a litre for 91
and $1.73 a litre for diesel on Monday.
Fuel prices close
in on record high
• By Julia Evans
PETROL PRICES are
rising across the district,
as they head towards last
year’s record high of almost
$2.50 a litre.
On Monday
petrol stations
were charging
$2.30 a litre for
unleaded 91 up
from $2.26 a litre
last week.
Diesel also
increased from
$1.67 to $1.73 a
litre.
Automobile
Association
principal adviser of
regulation and PetrolWatch
spokesman Mark Stockdale
said prices are rising
around the country.
“What the AA has
observed is international
commodity prices have
been increasing over the
last few weeks or so.”
But he was unable to say
whether petrol would reach
last year’s record prices.
“It’s impossible to predict
what will happen. There
are various international
factors that influence the
price at the pump and
the exchange rate is not
helping,” Mr Stockdale
said.
“We shouldn’t expect
prices to get down to $1.50
like some people might
remember. Those days are
gone.”
A Z Energy spokesperson
said it buys crude oil,
refined petrol and
diesel on the
international
market.
“Recently,
the price of
oil on the
international
market has
risen, resulting
in an increase
in the price at
the pump.”
A BP
spokesperson
said the recent
price changes are a result
of factors that are out of its
control, including increases
in the cost of product and
weakening of the New
Zealand dollar.
“We are really conscious
that fuel can be a
reasonable proportion of a
household budget, and we
review BP Connect prices
every day so our prices are
as competitive as possible.”
The rising cost of
petrol comes as Gull has
announced it will move
into the South Island.
Its first site will open in
Maheno, south of Oamaru
on State Highway 1, in
July. It will open others in
Christchurch and greater
Canterbury over the
following months.
Mark Stockdale
Mr Stockdale said
Gull’s expansion into
the South Island is good
news for motorists who
could expect more price
competition.
However, cheaper
stations like Gull and NPD
still have to raise prices, he
said.
“Taxes will ensure that
prices remain relatively
high.”
Energy and Resources
Minister Megan Woods
said she is concerned about
petrol prices.
“A major report from
Ministry of Business,
Innovation and
Employment found there
was evidence to suggest
the market wasn’t fully
competitive and that
consumers, especially in
the South Island, were
paying over the odds for
their fuel. As a proud
South Islander, that’s not
acceptable to me.”
Dr Woods said the
Government has moved
urgent legislation through
to enable the Commerce
Commission to investigate
fuel companies, compel
them to release evidence
and investigate if the
market is working
properly.
“That process is under
way now and we are
awaiting the results of their
investigation.”
Hellers Fresh NZ Burgers 400g,
Pre-Cooked Sausages 1kg Plain
(excludes Flavoured Variants),
Everyday Sausages 6 Pack (Selected
Varieties only), Tegel Fresh NZ
Chicken Tenders 6 Pack or Quick
Cook Chicken 300-400g Varieties
Coca-Cola, Sprite,
Fanta, Lift or L&P
1.5 Litre or Keri Premium
Fruit Drink 1 Litre
ANY
2 FOR
$
15
Fresh NZ Skinless
Chicken Breast
Fillets
$
12 99
kg
ANY
2 FOR
$
4 99
Cadbury Marshmallow
Egg Tray Range $
3 99 150g 6 Pack
pk
Broccoli
Product of New Zealand
www.foursquare.co.nz
$
1 49 ea
The NEd 750ml
(excludes Pinot Noir
& Chardonnay)
$
13 99 ea
facebook.com/FourSquareNZ
Specials available South Island only from Monday 15th April until Sunday 28th April
2019 or while stocks last. Wine and beer available at stores with an off licence. Wine
and beer purchases restricted to persons aged 18 years old and over.