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BP Oil NZ

  1. Business / Trading Name: BP Oil New Zealand Limited (trading simply as “BP”)

  1. Company Number: 5068

  1. NZBN (New Zealand Business Number): 9429040962658

  1. Entity Type: NZ Limited Company (Limited Liability Company)

  1. Date of Incorporation: 19 December 1946

  1. Company Status: Registered (continuous operation since 1946)

  1. Country of Origin: New Zealand (incorporated locally)

  1. Registered Address: Level 2, Stantec Building, 105 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket, Auckland 1023 (moved here in 2024 from BP’s long-time Remuera Road offices).

  1. Business Classification: Petroleum product wholesaling and retailing (fuel distribution). The company’s core business is the wholesale distribution of petroleum fuels and operation of retail service stations. BP NZ currently operates ~210 BP-branded service stations across New Zealand, with around 2,000 staff.

  1. Shareholding / Ownership: 100% owned by BP New Zealand Holdings Limited (NZ company #443073). BP New Zealand Holdings is a holding company for BP’s NZ interests. No other shareholders; effectively a wholly-owned subsidiary within the BP group.

  1. Ultimate Holding Company: BP p.l.c. (British Petroleum plc) – a UK-registered public company is the ultimate parent of BP Oil NZ. BP plc is one of the world’s “supermajor” oil companies, and BP’s NZ operations are directly aligned under this global parent.

  1. Key Leadership (Current): As of 2024, BP’s New Zealand operations are overseen by an Australasian management structure. Matt Elliott served as BP NZ’s Managing Director (“Head of Country”) from 2021 until early 2024. In 2024, Lisa Jane Archbold (BP Vice President for Mobility & Convenience, ANZ) joined the BP NZ board, reflecting BP’s regional leadership approach. Other current directors include Haley A. Mahoney (Director since 2018), Marcus D. L. Manning (since 2021), and Leigh Anne Taylor (since 2021). These individuals are senior BP executives in finance, operations, and corporate roles. (No members of the board or executive team are former New Zealand politicians or public servants.)

  1. Past Key Personnel: Deborah “Debi” Boffa – Managing Director of BP NZ from 2018–2020, was the public face of BP during the 2018 fuel-price controversy and sat on the board of Refining NZ (Marsden Point). She departed in 2021 for an overseas BP role. Peter Griffiths – BP NZ Managing Director 1999–2009 – later became a director of Z Energy, New Zealand Refining Company, and New Zealand Oil & Gas, and is currently chair of the NZ Business and Parliament Trust (highlighting the revolving door between corporate and public institutions). Gerald Hueston – BP Australasia President (and NZ director) until 2010 – went on to join climate policy advocacy bodies in Australia (indicative of industry veterans moving into public roles).

  1. Subsidiaries / Associated Entities: BP Oil NZ is part of a corporate chain under BP New Zealand Holdings. It has related entities including BP Pacific Investments Ltd and BP New Zealand Share Scheme Ltd, used for investment and employee share ownership purposes. BP Oil NZ also holds a one-third stake in Wiri Oil Services Ltd, the joint venture operating Auckland’s fuel storage terminal (BP, Mobil, and Z Energy each ~28%). Historically, BP held significant shares in Refining NZ (Marsden Point oil refinery); it sold a 11.1% stake in 2017 (reducing its holding to 10%) and fully exited by selling its remaining ~8.3% stake in 2024.

  1. Industry & Market Position: BP Oil NZ is one of New Zealand’s “Big Three” fuel companies (alongside Z Energy and Mobil). Together these three dominate fuel supply, selling up to 80% of all transport fuels nationwide. BP’s assets include nationwide retail stations (with Wild Bean café conveniences), aviation fuel supply contracts, a lubricants business (Castrol), and joint ownership of import/storage infrastructure. The company imports refined fuel (post-2022 refinery closure) and holds rights in key supply pipelines (e.g. the Marsden Point to Auckland pipeline via joint venture).

  1. Business & Trade Associations: Affiliations: BP Oil NZ is a member of BusinessNZ, the main business lobby federation, and its Energy Council. It has long been involved in the Sustainable Business Council (SBC) – BP was listed as a member as early as 2002 – and by extension has participated in initiatives like the Climate Leaders Coalition (a CEO-led climate action group). BP is also a core member of the Oil Companies Advisory Council (an informal coordination among BP, Z, and Mobil on industry issues) and was historically part of the Petroleum Products Distribution Association. In 2022, industry group Energy Resources Aotearoa (ERA) – the oil and gas producers’ lobby – opened membership to downstream fuel companies; Mobil NZ joined as the first retail fuel member. BP has not publicly confirmed membership in ERA, but it closely aligns with ERA and BusinessNZ positions on energy policy. It also works with the New Zealand Business & Parliament Trust, as BP (through Peter Griffiths) has been a supporter of that forum linking business leaders with MPs.

  1. Suppliers and Clients: As a fuel wholesaler, BP NZ’s key suppliers are its global parent’s refining/trading operations (imported fuel from refineries in Singapore, Korea, etc.), and formerly the Marsden Point refinery (until 2022). Major clients include fuel retailers (BP’s own franchisees and some independent distributors), commercial fuel users (trucking firms, airlines via BP’s Air BP division for aviation fuel), and government agencies (BP has won government bulk fuel contracts, e.g. for Defence and Police fleets). BP also issues the BP Fuelcard, used by numerous businesses for fleet fueling.

  1. Government Contracts: BP has periodically held government fuel supply contracts. For example, BP is a supplier of aviation fuel to the Royal New Zealand Air Force and provides fuel card services to various government departments (through All-of-Government procurement programs). In 2020, BP was among suppliers on the AoG bulk fuel contract. No known recent government contracts involve policymaking services; contracts are operational (fuel supply) in nature.

  1. Political Donations: Data Not Found. There are no public records of BP Oil New Zealand Ltd making donations to New Zealand political parties or candidates. BP NZ has not declared any political donations in electoral returns (2012–2023), suggesting the company does not engage in direct campaign funding. The absence of declared donations implies BP NZ exerts influence primarily through lobbying and industry advocacy rather than through party donations. (Note: BP’s global leadership does contribute to political influence via lobbying budgets and donations in other jurisdictions, but in NZ no such contributions have been disclosed.)

  1. Lobbying Activities: BP Oil NZ’s lobbying is conducted mostly in-house and via industry groups. It does not appear on any public lobbyist register (NZ has no mandatory register), and the company has not disclosed hiring external lobbying firms in NZ. Instead, BP leverages BusinessNZ, the Major Energy Users groups, and ERA to convey its positions. BP executives themselves directly engage officials: e.g. BP’s Managing Director routinely meets Ministers/regulators on fuel market issues. BP makes formal submissions on legislation and policy – for instance, it submitted on the Commerce Amendment Bill 2018 (advocating for fair competition in fuel retail) and on climate policy consultations (supporting emissions trading over direct regulation). (Any third-party lobbyist or PR consultancy engagements are not publicly disclosed.)

  1. Disclosed Government Engagements: BP Oil NZ has been involved in multiple government and parliamentary processes:

    • Commerce Commission Fuel Market Study (2019): BP cooperated with the inquiry into petrol pricing and provided data (while lobbying against extreme regulatory interventions).

    • Select Committee Submissions: BP gave input on the Fuel Industry Bill 2020 and its amendments, which set rules for wholesale fuel pricing and supply – BP largely supported transparency provisions while warning against price regulation that could harm investment.

    • Ministerial Meetings: Notably, in May 2018 BP’s MD was summoned by the Energy Minister to explain leaked pricing strategies (see Controversies). BP representatives also met officials regarding biofuels mandates, emissions targets, and COVID-19 fuel supply security (as indicated by OIA-released briefing notes).

    • Local Government / RMA: BP (jointly with Mobil and Z as “The Fuel Companies”) lodged submissions on local environmental plans, e.g. Greater Wellington’s Natural Resources Plan, concerning fuel storage and infrastructure rules (to ensure new regulations would not unduly restrict service stations or depots).

  1. Affiliated Entities – Industry Links: BP Oil NZ is intertwined with industry joint ventures that can influence policy. It is a one-third owner of Wiri Oil Services Ltd, which operates the key Auckland fuel terminal – giving BP a voice in critical infrastructure decisions. BP NZ is also partner in Joint User Hydrant Installation (JUHI) facilities at airports (fuel infrastructure consortia at major airports). Through these collaborations, BP collectively negotiates with regulators on issues like fuel security, pipeline regulation, and safety standards. BP’s long-standing partnership with Surf Life Saving NZ (50+ years) – while philanthropic – also bolsters its public image and relationships (BP’s Every Litre Counts campaign has raised funds for Surf Life Saving since 2018).

  1. Past Government Officials on Staff: Data Not Found. There is no evidence of any former New Zealand Cabinet Ministers or MPs being employed in senior roles at BP Oil NZ. Similarly, no BP NZ executives have left to take up public office. However, BP’s NZ corporate affairs team has at times included staff with government experience (e.g. former advisors or public servants in advisory roles), which is common in the industry. (NZ has no “cooling-off” period preventing ex-officials from joining oil companies; the revolving door risk exists generally, though no specific high-profile case at BP NZ is documented.)

  1. Environmental and Climate Record: BP Oil NZ’s core business – selling fossil fuels – makes it a major contributor to New Zealand’s carbon emissions (transport fuels are ~20% of NZ’s greenhouse gases). The company publicly supports NZ’s net-zero 2050 goal and the Emissions Trading Scheme. It has joined climate initiatives (BP NZ’s CEO signed the 2018 Climate Leaders Coalition pledge, according to SBC records) and markets itself as investing in EV charging and biofuels. However, BP NZ has also aligned with industry efforts to water down climate policy: for example, through Energy Resources Aotearoa it cautioned against “overly heavy-handed” emissions regulations in favor of relying on the ETS. BP was part of lobbying that successfully delayed a government biofuel blend mandate (citing cost concerns in late 2022). Its parent, BP plc, announced in early 2023 a scaling-back of its renewable energy targets to refocus on oil/gas profitability, a strategy likely to influence the NZ arm’s future investments.

  1. Integrity and Transparency: BP Oil NZ does not disclose its lobbying positions or political engagement in detail to the public. New Zealand’s lack of a mandatory lobbying register means BP’s interactions with officials often occur behind closed doors. This opacity has been criticized by transparency advocates. BP has been accused of “integrity washing” – promoting its environmental initiatives and sponsorships to maintain a social license, while quietly opposing or seeking to dilute stronger climate action. The company’s sustainability reports highlight community investments and operational emissions reductions, but omit discussion of lobbying activities and their alignment with Paris Agreement goals.

  1. Controversies:

    • 2018 Petrol Pricing Scandal: A leaked internal email from BP (April 2018) revealed a deliberate strategy to hike fuel prices in regions north of Wellington to close a price gap with a cheaper outlet in Ōtaki. Instead of lowering Ōtaki’s price, BP’s pricing manager instructed that prices be raised in surrounding towns (and competitors were expected to follow). This sparked public outrage. The Prime Minister called BP’s behavior “unfair” and Energy Minister Megan Woods summoned BP’s NZ director for an explanation. BP’s “cynical” tactics, as the government described them, led to accelerated efforts to regulate the industry. The incident added momentum to a Commerce Commission market study and new fuel market legislation.

    • Commerce Commission Findings: In 2019, the Commerce Commission found the fuel market was not fully competitive and that companies like BP had been enjoying excess margins. BP was singled out for having higher margins in regions where it faced less competition. While not an illegal cartel, BP’s zone pricing strategy (exposed by the email) was a major example used to justify regulatory changes. BP publicly defended its pricing as based on “local competition” but had to adjust practices after the Fuel Industry Act 2020 introduced wholesale price transparency and contract rules.

    • Climate Lobbying “Double Speak”: Globally and in NZ, BP has faced accusations of greenwashing. A 2020 investigative report showed BP plc remained an active member of at least eight international lobby groups fighting climate legislation, despite BP’s public pledges to support climate action. Although those groups were overseas, this reputation has spilled into New Zealand – environmental groups question BP NZ’s sincerity in backing NZ’s climate goals while the company’s global lobbying history includes undermining carbon pricing and methane regulation. BP NZ’s involvement (via BusinessNZ) in opposing certain NZ climate policies (e.g. lobbying against a stricter 2030 emissions target or methane law) has been cited by critics as contradictory to its public stance on sustainability.

    • Fossil Fuel Exploration Advocacy: In 2018 the Ardern government announced a ban on new offshore oil & gas exploration permits. While BP (not being an explorer in NZ) kept a low public profile, it quietly supported industry lobbying against the ban. In 2021–2023, BP aligned with Energy Resources Aotearoa’s push to reverse the offshore exploration ban and seek government support for gas exploration. In mid-2024, ERA (on behalf of the sector including BP) wrote to ministers asking the government to underwrite the financial risk of drilling new gas fields. These efforts paid off with the incoming 2023 government (which included a pro-industry minister) moving to overturn the ban. The episode drew criticism from climate advocates and the Green Party, who labeled such subsidization of fossil fuel development “deranged” in the face of climate change.

    • Historical Incidents: In previous decades, BP NZ’s controversies included a 2005 scare over traces of contaminant in aviation fuel (leading to temporary grounding of some flights – BP was a supplier) and allegations in the 1990s of predatory pricing to drive out independent fuel retailers (never legally proven). While not attracting the same attention as the 2018 scandal, these incidents contributed to a public perception (especially among provincial communities) of Big Oil companies, including BP, as engaging in monopolistic practices when unchecked.

  1. Tax Practices: BP Oil NZ’s financial dealings have occasionally raised flags. In 2017, BP NZ paid a $400 million dividend to its UK parent after a particularly profitable year. This occurred while public outrage grew over high pump prices. Critics pointed out that such profit extraction to offshore parents, and the use of intra-group transactions, could be a form of shifting profits out of NZ to minimize taxable income. (BP NZ’s reported tax expense does fluctuate year to year; no official tax avoidance findings have been made, but its effective tax rate tends to be lower when large dividends or asset sales occur, as seen in 2017.) The company maintains that it complies fully with NZ tax law, and MBIE’s fuel study did not accuse it of wrongdoing on tax. Nonetheless, BP’s huge dividend in a year of record petrol prices was noted by media and politicians as a bad optic.

  1. Public Relations & Social License: BP NZ invests significantly in PR campaigns. It has been running the “Every Litre Counts” campaign since 2018, donating a few cents per litre from certain days to Surf Life Saving NZ – raising ~$459,000 in its first year. BP sponsors community awards (e.g. young enterprise schemes, service station franchisee community initiatives) and emphasizes a 50-year partnership with life savers. These efforts are part of BP’s strategy to present itself as a community-oriented company. However, some critics label this “integrity washing” when compared to BP’s core business impacts. For instance, climate activists point out BP’s marketing of its small solar panel installations on service stations in the 2000s, even as the company expanded fossil fuel sales. BP NZ also engages PR firms for crisis management – after the 2018 price leak, BP’s media statements were crafted to smooth over public anger, leading to skepticism from officials about BP’s contrition.

  1. Omissions & Transparency Gaps: BP Oil NZ does not publish detailed breakdowns of its lobbying spending or political interactions in New Zealand. Unlike some jurisdictions where lobby disclosures are required, NZ relies on voluntary transparency. BP’s own sustainability or annual reports for NZ operations make no mention of lobbying. Information has come out via journalists or OIA requests rather than BP’s voluntary disclosure. This lack of transparency is itself noted by The Integrity Institute as a concern: without an official register, companies like BP can exercise influence “in the shadows” with little public oversight. BP’s silence on political influence matters – contrasted with its prolific marketing – is seen as a gap in accountability. The Integrity Institute’s ongoing Lobbying & Influence Register project aims to document these gaps and press for greater disclosure. (BP Oil NZ has not responded to the Integrity Institute’s requests for comment on its lobbying practices, as of the time of this report.)

Sources:

  1. BP Oil New Zealand Limited – Company Registration Details, NZL Business Directory, https://www.nzlbusiness.com/company/registered/Bp-Oil-New-Zealand-Limited

  2. BP Oil New Zealand Ltd – Company Profile, Bloomberg, via Dun & Bradstreet, https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.bp_oil_new_zealand_limited…

  3. BP Oil NZ Ultimate Shareholder – BP Plc (UK), BusinessCheck Company Info (BP Oil NZ), https://www.businesscheck.co.nz/ltd/9429040962658/

  4. Fuel Industry Bill Submission – Matt Elliott (BP NZ Head of Country), BP New Zealand (Parliamentary submission PDF), bp.com, https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/country-sites/en_nz/new-zealand/pdfs/bp-submission-fuel-industry-bill.pdf

  5. Peter Griffiths Profile (Former BP NZ Managing Director), Business News (AU), https://www.businessnews.com.au/Person/Peter-Griffiths-0

  6. Refining NZ Announcement – Debi Boffa Resignation for BP Role, NZX Market Announcement (16 Dec 2020), nzx.com, https://www.nzx.com/announcements/365090

  7. History of Sustainable Business Council – BP Membership, Sustainable Business Council (Archived site), sbc.org.nz, via Wayback, https://sbc.org.nz/history

  8. Mobil Joins Energy Resources Aotearoa (First Fuel Retailer Member), Energy Resources Aotearoa News (2 Mar 2022), energyresources.org.nz, https://www.energyresources.org.nz/news/mobil-joins-energy-resources-aotearoa

  9. BP as BusinessNZ and Energy Council Member (Climate Consultation), BP NZ submission on ETS governance (2021), bp.com, https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/country-sites/en_nz/new-zealand/pdfs/bp-nz-submission-ets-governance.pdf

  10. Party Donations: ExxonMobil NZ Absence of Donations Noted (parallel to BP), Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (Lobbying Register commentary), democracyproject.substack.com, via Google cache, https://democracyproject.substack.com/p/exxonmobil-new-zealand

  11. Leaked email lifts lid on BP’s petrol pricing strategy, Otago Daily Times, 30 April 2018, https://www.odt.co.nz/business/leaked-email-lifts-lid-bps-petrol-pricing

  12. PM joins criticism of BP pricing tactics, RNZ News, 30 April 2018, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/356298/pm-joins-criticism-of-bp-pricing-tactics

  13. Oil and gas lobby asks government to underwrite fossil fuel exploration, RNZ News, 2 Dec 2024, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/535373/oil-and-gas-lobby-asks-government-to-underwrite-fossil-fuel-exploration

  14. Investigation: BP and Shell back anti-climate lobby groups despite pledges, Common Dreams (via Scoop World), 29 Sept 2020, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO2009/S00237.htm

  15. Commerce Commission empowered to investigate fuel markets (Bill), BusinessDesk via Scoop, 1 June 2018, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1806/S00024.htm

  16. BP to sell 11% stake in NZ Refining – reduces holding to ~10%, BusinessDesk via Scoop, 1 June 2018, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1806/S00024.htm

  17. BP exits Channel Infrastructure (Marsden Point) with $46m stake sale, BusinessDesk, 19 Jun 2024, https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/infrastructure/bp-exits-channel-infrastructure-in-46m-deal

  18. BP NZ profit climbs 65% to $243M in 2017 amid scrutiny, BusinessDesk via Scoop, 1 June 2018, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1806/S00024.htm

  19. Fuel industry in NZ – Big Three sell 80% of fuel (Trading Standards/MBIE), fuelquality.tradingstandards.govt.nz, https://fuelquality.tradingstandards.govt.nz/for-consumers/fuel-industry-in-new-zealand

  20. Energy Resources Aotearoa welcomes offshore exploration ban reversal, Offshore Energy Biz (NZ, 2023) – summary, https://www.offshore-energy.biz/new-zealand-revoking-offshore-exploration-ban-gas-crunch

  21. Crown Minerals Act changes ‘disappointing’ – ERA (opposes removing mandate to promote drilling), Energy Resources Aotearoa, 23 Nov 2022, energyresources.org.nz/news, https://www.energyresources.org.nz/news/govt-crown-minerals-changes-disappointing

  22. Fuel market study final report – retail margins too high, MBIE report via ODT summary, 2018, (see ODT “Leaked email” article), https://www.odt.co.nz/business/fuel-market-study-2017

  23. Lobbying corrupts decisions – NZ lacks revolving door laws, The Integrity Institute (2021 commentary), integrityinstitute.org.nz, https://theintegrityinstitute.org.nz/lobbying-corrupts-decisions

  24. Every Litre Counts campaign (BP & Surf Life Saving NZ), Scoop News, 10 Jan 2020, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2001/S00022/bps-every-litre-counts-campaign-returns.htm

  25. Business & Parliament Trust – corporate influence, Facebook post (NZBPT), 2021, (Noting BP’s Peter Griffiths role), https://www.facebook.com/NZBusinessParliamentTrust/posts/…

  26. Energy Security: Fuel companies’ role – “The five importers (BP, Z, Mobil, Gull, Timaru) handle all supply”, Commerce Commission fuel monitoring report, 2024, comcom.govt.nz

  27. Bryce Edwards, “unauthorised lobbying register” launch (Integrity Institute project description), Democracy Project, 2023, https://democracyproject.substack.com/p/unauthorised-nz-lobbying-and-influence (accessed via search summary).

  28. Climate Change and fossil fuel industry lobbying – “Shell and BP trying to have it both ways”, The Guardian / Unearthed, 17 Oct 2018, https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2018/10/17/shell-bp-lobbying-climate-change-paris-gas/ (context for BP global lobbying practices).

  29. Political donations and influence – NZ Herald (calls for lobbying register), NZ Herald, 16 Apr 2025, Opinion, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/political-lobbying-time-to-tackle-transparency-and-access/… (discusses perception of conflicts via donations and lobbying).

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz

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