Petrol companies have again pushed up the price of petrol - the fifth in a fortnight - blaming the rise on the increased international cost of refined petrol.
BP, Shell and Caltex have raised 91 unleaded prices by 6 cents to 158.9c a litre and 95 Octane to 163.9c a litre today, leaving diesel prices unchanged.
The price of petrol has risen 26c since January 14.
BP spokeswoman Diana Stretch told NZPA today the increase in costs of refined petrol and also the flow-on effect of the lower value of the New Zealand dollar had pushed prices up again.
Shell spokeswoman Jackie Maitland said prices had gone up again because New Zealand had no control over international pricing for crude and refined petrol.
"The price we pay here will ultimately be determined by the cost of products internationally and how strong our dollar is.
"So, there is not much we can influence in that area."
The AA said last week that a decline in the New Zealand dollar to six-year lows had driven the fourth petrol price rise in just over a week.
