The four leading petrol companies raised their prices by six cents a litre this morning, with the Automobile Association saying the increase was justified.
Shell, Caltex, Mobil and BP all increased their petrol prices by six cents to 171.9 cents a litre for 91 and 175.9 a litre for 95.
Diesel remained unchanged at 103.9c a litre.
AA policy analyst Mark Stockdale said there had been a rise in the cost of refined petrol in the last two days.
"It's been a quick reaction so if there is any recovery, AA will keep an eye out to ensure they drop it just as quickly," he told the New Zealand Herald website.
Gull retail business manager Graham Stirk said its prices would not be going up today, but prices would be reviewed tomorrow.
BP spokesman Neil Green said the cost of refined petrol on the overseas markets had increased by 14 cents a litre in the past week.
That meant that BP had absorbed an eight cent rise.
The weaker New Zealand dollar had also played a part in the increase, he said.
