BP faces court charges over alleged fuel discount and pricing errors

Wednesday, 3 June 2026

BP Oil New Zealand Ltd is facing court charges.

The Commerce Commission says it will file charges against BP Oil New Zealand Ltd under the Fair Trading Act.

The allegations state the company failed to provide entitled fuel discounts to some customers and charged incorrect prices at BP Connect service stations.

The investigation began in April 2025 after customer complaints about scanned Everyday Rewards cards not applying advertised discounts.

The Commerce Commission says charges are expected to be filed soon in the Auckland District Court, and the allegations have not yet been tested in court.

The Commerce Commission says it will file charges against BP Oil New Zealand Ltd under the Fair Trading Act, alleging the company failed to provide some customers with fuel discounts they were entitled to and charged incorrect prices at BP Connect service stations.

Charges are expected to be filed soon in the Auckland District Court.

Commerce Commission chairperson John Small rejects the accusation the watchdog lacks ambition (video first published July 20, 2023).

Commerce Commission deputy chair Anne Callinan said the case reflected the regulator’s focus on ensuring large companies met their obligations to consumers.

“We expect big businesses to take the time and effort to get pricing and promotions right. Consumers should be able to trust the information they receive when they are buying goods and services,” Callinan said in a statement on Wednesday.

“I have limited patience when it comes to large, well-resourced businesses who aren’t investing in their systems to get the basics right.

“When a business advertises a deal or discount to certain customers, those customers must receive that benefit when they pay.”

The Commission opened an investigation into BP in April 2025 after receiving complaints from customers who said they purchased fuel at a number of BP Connect stations, scanned their Everyday Rewards cards, but did not receive the advertised discounts.

Fuel prices soared in March as the Iran war closed the Strait of Hormuz. Stats NZ reports diesel jumped 43% and petrol 18%, causing a record-breaking spike that economists warn will flow into supermarket shelves by spring.

According to the Commission, the investigation examined allegations that customers were charged more than they expected after promotional discounts were not applied at the point of sale.

BP subsequently made changes and investments aimed at reducing the likelihood of similar problems occurring in future.

However, the Commission said its inquiries later identified another alleged pricing issue.

“However, since our initial investigation we have uncovered a further instance where customers allegedly did not receive the price as advertised,” Callinan said.

“This instance is concerning, not only because it raises questions about the effectiveness of the company’s changes, but also as it was within the current period of higher fuel prices.”

The Commission said most of the alleged conduct occurred before the current period of higher fuel prices.

The regulator has recently increased its scrutiny of fuel pricing as global oil markets respond to conflict in the Middle East.

“The Commission has increased its monitoring of fuel costs and prices in response to the conflict in the Middle East and will continue to scrutinise and hold fuel companies to account,” Callinan said.

The Fair Trading Act prohibits misleading and deceptive conduct and requires businesses to ensure consumers receive accurate information about pricing and promotions.

The filing of charges marks the next stage in the Commission’s investigation. The allegations have not yet been tested in court.

No court date has been announced.