Fuel prices of Onera BP on Tuesday. Photo: RNZ / Leonard Powell
"The price of paradise": That is how Waiheke residents describe the amount they spend at the fuel pump.
First Up visited the Auckland island ahead of the excise tax ending at the end of June.
Having just returned from a South Island road trip, Lloyd Saxon was mystified by the prices he came across on the mainland.
"I drove 2500 kilometres, and the cheapest gas was $1.51 for diesel at Ātiamuri Gull Station south of Tokoroa. What is it here? $2.98. It's still worth it."
Fellow resident Richard was filling up his work car, but pointed out he drove an electrical vehicle when he was the one paying.
"I've had to increase the actual limit on the credit card to accommodate, because it will be anything sort of $300-$400 per visit. It certainly adds up.
Dale said he caught the bus or biked when he could.
"It's wickedly expensive, and the Barrier is even worse again. On a week-to-week basis, probably 50 bucks a week just getting to the shops, on top of the price of everything else."
Rosemary Burns. Photo: RNZ / Leonard Powell
Sitting up the road from the Oneroa BP on a park bench was Rosemary Burns. She had lived on the island her whole life, her parents starting the Oneroa Hardware store back in 1951, before power even arrived.
Despite not being a driver herself, Rosemary could feel the squeeze that fuel prices had on people.
"I actually do something that goes against the grain with me, because I always like to try and shop locally.
"But I say to people, if you're going away with a car to Auckland, please top it up with petrol before you come back to Waiheke. And I hate doing that because businesses need our support."
Fuel prices on Waiheke Island on 27 June
BP Oneroa
- Unleaded 91 - $3.26
- Diesel - $2.97
Challenge Onetangi
- Unleaded 91 - $3.26
- Diesel $2.94
GAS Ostend
- Unleaded 91 - $3.24
- Diesel - $2.91
It seemed if the petrol pump was where your wallet went to die, Waiheke Island was where old Nissan Leafs went to live.
Drive anywhere on the island and you will pass multiple electric vehicles, one local estimating 650 are in use.
Some top out at just 90km per charge, but that was more than enough for the small island.
It was not everyday you met a tradie operating from an EV, but that was exactly what electrician Robbie Hannaford did.
Robbie Hannaford. Photo: RNZ / Leonard Powell
His once-white Leaf was covered in mud with a ladder strapped to the roof.
"I work with another guy who drives an electric van. There's another company that have electric vans. Not a lot of you know, I'm talking sparkies, not a lot of tradies have them, but you know, chippies or plumbers.
"But a lot of people that live where I live have Leafs. There's dozens of them down there."
Hannaford opened up his boot to reveal a small collection of electrical equipment, a far cry from packed-out vans you would typically see in use.
"I try to take stuff out when I'm not using it because of the weight but there's a roller cable, knee pads, screws, batteries for the drill, radio... plugs, sockets, switches.
"I just take what I need to take for the job, otherwise I carry too much."
He conceded that he would one day need a van, but that electric was the only way to go.
As for those on the island still filling their tanks - the price of 91 will likely hit $3.50 or more from Saturday.
