Jones has been intensely critical of the previous Government\u2019s approval in 2022 of the mothballing of Marsden Pt, saying it \u201cfatally wounded\u201d New Zealand\u2019s fuel resilience.<\/p>\n
He said rebuilding the refinery was prohibitively expensive. However, he noted that the facility still holds the largest fuel\u2011storage capacity in the country, with about 300 million litres in use and the potential to nearly double that, which he said was significant for Northland and national fuel security.<\/p>\n
He said New Zealand will need to store more fuel in future to counter the oil companies\u2019 \u201cjust\u2011in\u2011time\u201d model, which has reduced resilience.<\/p>\n
Public concerns over apparent price gouging have dominated discussions about higher fuel prices this week.<\/p>\n
While Northland pump prices have generally tracked the national increases, the beachside community of Mangawhai continues to enjoy some of the country\u2019s lowest fuel prices<\/a> \u2013 an oddity Gaspy director Mike Newton has reportedly put down to the opening of a self-service Gull station there last September.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve had it really good, pretty much since then. They\u2019ve just steadily been 20 cents lower than that national average, which is pretty impressive, especially for Northland. I don\u2019t think they\u2019ve generally had it that good,\u201d Newton told RNZ early last month.<\/p>\n The Northern Advocate<\/a> spoke with representatives from the other two stations in the township, neither of whom wanted to comment on whether the local price competition would continue regardless of the overseas situation and how that might affect supply and pricing in New Zealand.<\/p>\n This week\u2019s Gaspy data shows an interesting turn among the three stations, which on Tuesday, all featured on a list of the country\u2019s top five cheapest stations.<\/p>\n Mobil Mangawhai had the nation\u2019s cheapest 91 at $2.32 per litre, followed by g.a.s. Mangawhai at $2.35, and Gull Mangawhai, $2.40.<\/p>\n By this morning, the lineup had changed, with Gull Mangawhai leading the list at $2.40 per litre for 91, with Mobil Mangawhai in second place at $2.45 per litre. G.a.s. Mangawhai had dropped away, having upped its price for 91 by 20 cents overnight to $2.55 per litre, albeit the increase is partly offset for True Rewards loyalty scheme members, who currently get 15 cents off per litre.<\/p>\nShane Jones says NZ can increase its fuel resilience by making more of the storage capacity still available at the former Marsden Pt oil refinery site. Photo \/ NZME <\/p>\n
Northland’s popular 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza fishing competition has added to the increased demand for fuel.<\/p>\n