The cost of fuel is on the brink of a new surge - dashing any hopes of long-lasting relief.
Experts warn the price of petrol could climb to $3.50 per litre by the end of the year.
"The price increases have been quite relentless but they're based on the price of crude which is a supply and demand imbalance at the moment," said Jimmy Ormsby, the managing director of fuel retailer Waitomo.
"We've all got our own business costs and those are all under pressure at the moment as well with inflation and cost of living and cost of wages going up. We are not immune to that," he told AM on Wednesday.
Ormsby's comments came just a month before the Government's temporary fuel tax reductions were due to expire.
But there were a few easy ways to save on petrol, Automobile Association fuel spokesperson Terry Collins told Newshub Late on Wednesday.
First up - carpooling.
"Join up with some friends - all go together in a car," Collins said.
Another tip, Collins said, was "don't be bigfoot".
"That is: take off from the lights, accelerate and put your brakes on when you get to the next light. That uses 40 percent more fuel and five times more emissions.
"Over 50 percent of your energy is used in the acceleration so just don't do that in an urban environment," Collins said.
He also urged people to stick to the speed limit. Collins said the difference between driving 120km/h and 90km/h was 20 percent in fuel use.
"If you stick to that speed limit you're going to drive much more safely and you're going to save yourself some money."
Another tip was to keep the car's tyres properly inflated.
"You fill up your tyres and, if you've got the chance, buy what is called 'low-resistance tyres' - they roll a little bit better," Collins said.
"Tyre pressure's really good because it saves your fuel economy and it's also a safe thing to do."
He also said people should take any items off or out of their cars to bring the weight down.
"Take that roof rack off," Collins said.
"That just creates a drag on your aerodynamics and that's about 10 percent of your fuel use."
