‘Consumers should be able to trust the information they receive’: deputy chair
The Commerce Commission has announced its intent to soon bring charges under the Fair Trading Act 1986 before the Auckland District Court against BP Oil New Zealand Ltd, which allegedly failed to offer discounts to which customers were entitled.
“When a business advertises a deal or discount to certain customers, those customers must receive that benefit when they pay,” said Anne Callinan, the commission’s deputy chair, in a news release.
The commission also intends to assert that the oil and gas company charged inaccurate prices at their BP Connect Service stations. The commission clarified that the conduct it will challenge in the proceedings will not extend to BP 2Go sites, which are independently owned and operated.
Callinan noted the commission’s expectation that big companies make an effort to “get pricing and promotions right.” She also emphasised the commission’s dedication to holding these businesses accountable on Kiwis’ behalf.
“Consumers should be able to trust the information they receive when they are buying goods and services,” she said. “I have limited patience when it comes to large, well-resourced businesses who aren’t investing in their systems to get the basics right.”
In April 2025, the commission began investigating BP after fielding customer complaints claiming that they purchased fuel at BP Connect Service stations, scanned their Everyday Rewards cards, and were unable to avail of the advertised discounts.
After the initial investigation, the company made adjustments and investments aimed at making these problems less likely. The bulk of the conduct under investigation happened before the present period of elevated fuel prices.
According to Callinan, the commission then learned of a later instance in which customers supposedly still could not avail of the advertised price.
“This instance is concerning, not only because it raises questions about the effectiveness of the company’s changes, but also as it was within the current period of higher fuel prices,” she said in the commission’s news release.
The commission explained that it has upped its efforts to monitor fuel prices and costs following the conflict in the Middle East. The commission plans to maintain its work to scrutinise fuel companies and ensure they take responsibility for their conduct.
