The New Zealand Government is set to reinstate the full fuel tax later this week which will see petrol prices rise back above $3 per litre in some areas.
Motorists currently pay 25 cents per litre less than they usually would thanks to the fuel excise duty subsidy that was brought in early last year to alleviate the cost of living crisis many Kiwis continue to face. Road User Charges also received an equivalent discount.
The last day to buy discounted fuel will be this Friday, June 30. Fuel prices will then increase by about 29 cents per litre including GST on Saturday, July 1.
In some areas around Auckland like Titirangi, the price of 91 octane currently sits at $2.77 per litre, meaning it will exceed the $3 mark once the full tax is reapplied.
Kiwis will no doubt rush to the pumps before prices soar again which is why AA New Zealand has released advice on how to avoid chaos at the pump this week.
It is recommended that people should fill their tanks two or three days prior to this Friday to avoid any queues or the possibility of local petrol stations running out of fuel.
Not everyone will be able to make it on time though which is why AA fuel spokesman Terry Collins says there are still ways for Kiwis to save money once the full fuel tax is reinstated.
“The best way to save on fuel is to use another way of travelling rather than driving if you can, but that obviously only works in some situations,” says Collins.
“For the majority needing to use a car, it’s worth shopping around for fuel. There can be big differences in fuel prices between different petrol stations in the same area.
“The Gaspy App shows you all your local prices. You can also make significant savings by making the most of the numerous fuel discount schemes.”
Driving smoothly can also reduce fuel consumption while it’s also important that your vehicle’s tyres are set at the right pressure.
“Other worthwhile tactics are planning trips to avoid congestion and combining multiple tasks in one outing. Anything that cuts down on engine running time will reduce fuel consumption,” Collins adds.
Public transport fares are also set to increase on July 1, with half-price tickets returning to their full cost. However, under fives will still be able to ride for free, while 13 to 24-year-olds, Community Service Card holders and Total Mobility Users will only have to pay half price.
