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One of New Zealand’s smallest fuel providers is slashing 12 cents a litre off fuel for 32 hours as petrol prices soar to record highs.

Gull announced it would offer 12c off per litre across all fuel from 7am today to midday tomorrow.

Record highs of $2.30 a litre for 91-octane fuel were noted this week.

But yesterday it emerged that more than a dollar now separates the cheapest from the dearest 91 petrol, with prices between $1.93 in Rotorua and more than $3 on the Chathams and Great Barrier Island.

It followed an unscientific survey by the Herald to find the cheapest and most expensive prices at the pump which had more than 100 responses.

Gull pricing analyst Rohan Mehta said Kiwis had been feeling the impact of soaring global oil prices and a depreciating NZ dollar for weeks.

“We decided to offer some relief to Kiwi motorists by providing 12c off per litre discount at the pumps, further increasing the price gap between Gull and the other oil majors.

“Our discount day offer isn’t restricted by a minimum dollar fill or maximum litre fill. We’re simply dropping our price boards and pump prices for everyone to enjoy.”

The company said its Atiamuri store south of Rotorua will offer what is likely to be the nation’s cheapest fuel today — $1.807 a litre for 91, $1.957 for 98 and $1.107 for diesel.

Consumer New Zealand this week warned record high prices could backfire on fuel companies if nothing was done to bring them down.

Consumer NZ boss Sue Chetwin said fed-up motorists may simply opt for public transport, biking, or walking if filling the tank up became too dear.

She supported giving the Commerce Commission extra powers to investigate collusion among petrol companies to identify whether uncompetitive practices by fuel companies were behind price rises.

The Automobile Association (AA) wants 10c chopped off fuel tax.