Petrol prices for 91 unleaded start hitting $3 a litre

Thursday, 12 March 2026

At TasmanFuels in Epsom, the queues are growing. With the war in Iran tightening global supplies, Kiwis are traveling across town to save up to 40 cents a litre, with experts warning a $338 NZD barrel of oil could be on the horizon.

Petrol prices in Aotearoa are starting to hit the $3 mark, as the war in Iran plunges global energy markets into crisis.

Iran has warned it will set ablaze any oil tanker travelling through the Strait of Hormuz without permission, causing crude oil prices, along with petrol fees, to soar. A fifth of the world’s traded oil and LNG moves through the strait.

Allied Fuel Whataroa in the South Island told Stuff its 91 unleaded petrol had hit $3.089 per litre on Thursday.

G.A.S Ahipara in Northland had hit $3.08 per litre, and G.A.S Ōmāpere had hit $3.24.

In Franz Joseph, Glacier Motors was selling 91 unleaded for $3.099.

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Prices at BP New Lynn in Auckland on Thursday.

In Wellington, prices were yet to reach $3 per litre, but broadly were in the $2.80-$2.89 a litre range.

Queues forming at Tasman fuels Epsom where 91 unleaded was just $2.55 a litre.

While some places in Auckland had hit $3, prices were roughly around $2.60-$2.90 per litre. New Lynn BP had 91 unleaded petrol for $3.18.

Queues were forming at Tasman Fuels in Auckland’s Epsom as motorists scrambled to get 91 fuel unleaded petrol at the lower price of $2.55. A student at the pump told Stuff she decided to bite the bullet and join the queue as she was anxious about the sky-high prices that appeared to be on the way.

Meanwhile, in Hamilton, Z Te Papanui had 91 unleaded at $2.92, and Gull on Tramway Rd was at $2.63.

Prices were skyrocketing across the country with the rapid increases brought about by tightening global supply as Iran attacked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran on Thursday threatened for the world to “get ready for the oil barrel to be at US$200”.

Prior to the war, a barrel was about US$60, but in just under two weeks since the US and Israeli joint campaign against Iran began, the price had climbed to around US$100. On Thursday it was at about US$89 per barrel.

Iran has warned any oil tanker in its reach bound for western countries will be a legitimate target, and on Wednesday three vessels were attacked.

“We won’t allow even one litre of oil to reach the ‌US, Zionists and their partners. Any vessel or ‌tanker bound to them ⁠will be a legitimate target,” ⁠said Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaqari.