Relief may be in sight for the Northland town of Kaikohe, which is facing the prospect of two months with no petrol available for sale.
The Shell service station has closed for a refit, while the Caltex outlet is due to close at the end of June to replace ageing underground fuel tanks.
Sharon Buckland, a spokesperson for Chevron, which markets Caltex, says it is working with the Northland Regional Council to assess the possibility of staying open until Shell completes the refit. She says if the council gives the all-clear, Caltex would postpone its shutdown to help the town.
Chevron says tests on its Kaikohe fuel tanks show they are on the verge of leaking and the company does not want to pollute aquifers or nearby creeks.
