Hamilton-based fuel supplier Waitomo Group says South Islanders can look forward to cheaper fuel prices in 2019.
Two days after Waitomo fuels stops begun selling unleaded 91 for less than $2 a litre in Auckland, they company has announced a Waitomo Fuel Stop will be opened in central Christchurch next year, delivering on the company's ambition to deliver long-awaited price competition in the South Island.
Managing Director Jimmy Ormsby said the Kiwi family-owned and operated business believed motorists in the South Island deserved a fairer deal.
Waitomo Group had identified the South Island, where fuel prices are significantly higher than those in the North Island, as key to its expansion plans.
“And that’s what we do, provide fuel at the lowest price we can,” said Ormsby. “Kiwis have been hurting at the pump, especially in areas where Waitomo doesn’t operate.”
“That’s certainly the case for Mainlanders, where motorists are still missing out on the benefits of the price competition we’ve been driving.
“Put simply, we believe Kiwis deserve a fair price no matter where they live.”
Waitomo Group has more than 50 fuel stops stretching from Paihia in the north and as far south as Foxton. It recently announced that it would open a station next year in Wellington, which like the South Island has borne the brunt of higher fuel prices.
The Christchurch station will mark the first stage of Waitomo’s move into the South Island.
“We’ve started the process to secure a site in central Christchurch and we hope to be pumping fuel by the end of 2019. More competition and fairer fuel prices are on the way. In the meantime, we’re continuing to identify other sites in the South Island where we believe we can establish ourselves and continue disrupting New Zealand’s retail fuel market.”
Waitomo Group’s South Island fuel supply will come from Mobil’s Lyttelton and Woolston terminals, says Ormsby.
“We’ve got the supply lines sorted and all the service providers are in place to support the new fuel stop. It’s full-steam ahead in Christchurch.”
-Driven