BP's manipulation of petrol prices shows how companies will react when the government introduces a regional fuel tax, says a transport sector group.
Photo: RNZ / Jonathan Mitchell
A leaked email showed BP raising prices in Otaki, north of Wellington, to reduce competition on price among petrol stations.
BP's price moves have outraged Kāpiti locals, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying BP's behaviour was unfair and the government wanted answers.
The price of fuel has already been in the spotlight this week, with Auckland's regional fuel tax given a green light by councillors.
But Road Transport Forum chief executive Ken Shirley said he expected petrol companies to follow BP's example of raising prices in other areas when the fuel tax comes into effect to soften its impact.
He told Morning Report the government was showing it did not understand the market.
"To try and create a hard boundary in Auckland on a regional fuel tax is nonsensical, because you will get price spreading by the oil companies inevitably, and the whole country will end up paying in part."
Mr Shirley said a congestion charge would be a fairer alternative policy.
'It's more about political posturing than sound public policy' - Ken Shirley
Meanwhile, the Gull petrol company says the latest revelations about BP's price setting was another example of how the big companies were ripping off consumers.
Gull is a smaller player in the sector, with 85 outlets in parts of the North Island.
General manager Dave Bodger told Morning Report the email confirmed what industry observers already knew.
"Not really surprising, oil giants make great coin by putting the price up and taking cash off the consumer."
Mr Bodger said the government should be trying to make the sector more competitive.
'We open new sites and we see the market come down as a whole' - Dave Bodger