Photo: Nick Monro / RNZ
Extra demand on Gull’s discount day has left some of its petrol stations running low on fuel.
Gull said 3 percent of its sites had not been able to meet the extra demand from customers when it cut prices on its regular Thursday promotion.
Commenters online said Onehunga’s Gull was out of 95 and media reported that Greville Road, Henderson, Torbay, Takanini and Takapuna were also out of at least one sort of fuel.
“Sites that sold through yesterday, have, or are currently being refuelled for Gull’s customers by our logistics’ provider,” a spokesperson said.
AA spokesperson Terry Collins said the wider fuel network ran on a “just in time” basis and any extra demand from people panic buying would put stress on the system.
He said those stations would have a wait until the next delivery arrived.
Gull said 3 percent of its sites had not been able to meet the extra demand from customers
Photo: Nick Monro / RNZ
Ongoing disruption in the Middle East, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have pushed up oil prices as well as fears about its continued supply internationally.
Have you tried to purchase petrol at a station that’s run out? Email susan.edmunds@rnz.co.nz
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said as of March 8, the country had 32.8 days’ worth of petrol in the country and 25.2 on the water. It also had 27.6 in the country of diesel and 22.3 on the water.
It said most oil companies had reported no supply chain issues.
AA spokesperson Terry Collins said any extra demand from people panic buying would put stress on the system.
Photo: Nick Monro / RNZ
At Z, a spokesperson said it was experiencing demand in some areas but the impacts on its ability to supply customers were “minimal”.
“Our teams are working as quickly and safely as possible to move fuel through our network. This is about getting fuel to the right places to meet demand, at this stage, there is no shortage of fuel overall.”
Some stations would have a wait until the next delivery arrived.
Photo: Nick Monro / RNZ
Last Friday, Gaspy said the average price of 91 was about $2.66 – falling to about $2.60 after the impact of the previous day’s discounts worked out of the system. This Friday, it had reached $2.90.
Anyone stockpiling petrol in their homes may need to check the implications for their insurance policies.
A spokesperson or the Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman said it would present a fire hazard and a risk to property. “Insurers would likely not be comfortable with it.”
A petrol tanker arrived to refuel pumps at Torbay Gull station.
Photo: Nick Monro / RNZ
Officials from Nicola Willis’ office said they had spoken to Gull.
“Gull has advised that the shortages were a result of strong demand in response to the discounts it offered and that it is working to replenish stocks in regions with high demand,” they said in a statement.
“Gull confirmed it does not have any issues with incoming supply.”.
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