Reference

NZ Petrol and Diesel Prices 2026

Quick answer 91 unleaded costs about $3.10 to $3.40 a litre in 2026 and diesel about $3.20. Around 70 cents of every petrol litre is fuel excise duty, and 15% GST applies on top of the excise and levies. Diesel pays no excise; diesel vehicles pay road user charges instead.

Last updated:

Calculate.co.nz is proud to be partnered with Health Based Building, a leader in sustainable and health-conscious building innovation. With over a century of experience, they develop high-performance systems like Foreverbreathe Specification, Magnum Board, and Foreverbreathe Paints to support energy-efficient, non-toxic living environments. Their commitment to healthier homes aligns with our belief that informed choices lead to better outcomes for Kiwi households.
Calculate.co.nz partner: Health Based Building
Advertise on this page
~$3.20
Diesel per Litre (May 2026)
~70c
Fuel Excise per Litre
15%
GST on the Total

New Zealand petrol and diesel prices, and the breakdown of what makes up a litre. Around half of a typical petrol pump price is tax and levies. MBIE monitors national average prices weekly. Pump prices in early to mid 2026 have been elevated and volatile due to global oil supply disruption, so always check a live source for today's price.

Fuel Cost Calculator EV Charging Cost RUC Calculator

Approximate Current Pump Prices

Indicative national average pump prices as at May 2026. Prices are unusually high and moving quickly because of global oil market disruption, and they vary by region and retailer.

FuelApprox. price per litre (May 2026)
91 Unleaded~$3.10 to $3.40
95 Premium~$3.30 to $3.60
Diesel~$3.20
Source: MBIE - Weekly fuel price monitoring. MBIE paused some importer margin estimates from March 2026 due to price volatility. For live local prices, apps such as Gaspy compare stations near you.

What Makes Up a Litre of Petrol

A litre of 91 is roughly half product cost and half tax and levies. The main components are:

ComponentWhat it is
Importer costThe cost of the refined fuel landed in NZ, plus shipping. Moves with global oil prices and the exchange rate.
Importer marginThe retailer and importer's gross margin, covering distribution, retailing and profit.
Fuel excise duty (FED)A fixed excise of around 70 cents per litre on petrol, going mainly to the National Land Transport Fund. Diesel does not pay FED; diesel vehicles pay road user charges instead.
ETS costEmissions Trading Scheme cost passed through on the carbon content of the fuel.
ACC motor vehicle levyA small per-litre ACC levy on petrol that funds the Motor Vehicle Account.
GST15% GST applied to the total, including on the excise and levies.

Diesel is taxed differently: it carries no fuel excise duty at the pump, because diesel vehicles pay road user charges (RUC) by distance instead. The Auckland regional fuel tax was removed on 30 June 2024.

Source: MBIE and NZTA - Road user charges. Exact excise and levy cents per litre are set by government and change over time; check the current figures.

Cite this page NZ Petrol and Diesel Prices 2026. Calculate.co.nz. https://www.calculate.co.nz/reference/nz-fuel-prices.php (retrieved 31 August 2026). Figures are compiled from the official sources listed above and reviewed twice monthly.