The Energy Minister is not planning to back down on her crusade to ensure Kiwis "a fair price" for fuel.
Megan Woods wrapped up a meeting with the fuel giant BP last night, after outrage over how the company was setting its prices.
On TVNZ1's Breakfast, Ms Woods said she did not "emerge convinced that New Zealanders were paying a fair price for petrol at the pump".
She said she received reports last year that suggested people may be paying "over the odds" for petrol in parts of New Zealand.
"This goes to the broader issue that this isn't isolated to this one event with one company."
Ms Woods said fuel companies were allowed to make profits, but "the question here is whether or not people are paying a fair price".
"People probably like to think the competitive market works in their favour and they will be able to get a good deal."
She said it could be the nature of a market "that's possibly not working".
Ms Woods said it was the government's responsibility to ensure the fuel market was operating competitively.
Fuel in the region tends to be more expensive than in towns further north. (Source: Other)
"We can't do that until we get those market study powers for the Commerce Commission," proposed legislation that is currently in its first reading in parliament .
BP declined to appear on TVNZ1's Breakfast, but released this statement on Monday: "Petrol prices in New Zealand are highly competitive and we adjust our prices in response to local competition, particularly in instances where discounting has become unsustainable, which is what occurred in the lower North Island last year," BP said in a statement.
"We believe competition on price will remain a key characteristic of the New Zealand fuel market in the coming years.
"Because the New Zealand fuel market is already highly competitive we actively manage our prices on a daily basis to remain competitive, as well as provide the best possible customer service offering.
"We currently have more than NZ$1billion worth of capital invested in New Zealand, with further investment an ongoing priority.
"Our investment decisions are made with the goal of supporting growth at both a national level and in regional areas across the country.
"We know our customers have a choice so while we may not always be the cheapest in the market our objective is to ensure our total site offer is the best possible."
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