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From the Driver's Seat: Calves at Ikawai

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from Matthew, out at Ikawai, with some very curious company.Driver: Matthew Route/Location: Ikawai, North Otago Delivery: DieselMatthew had just pulled up on a farm delivery when three calves wandered straight over to ...

From the Driver's Seat: Eglinton Valley

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from David, on a run through the Eglinton Valley.Driver: David Route/Location: Eglinton Valley, Fiordland Delivery: Fuel transportDavid pulled over roadside for this one, with the tussock flats of the Eglinton Valley o...

From the Driver's Seat: Moa Flat

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from Cole, on a snowy farm delivery at Moa Flat.Driver: Cole Route/Location: Moa Flat, West Otago Delivery: Fuel transportCole pulled in for this one after a fresh snowfall, tanker parked up beside the farm's bulk tank...

20 Years, 45 Trucks and Zero Fuel Stress

Danny is part of the team at KB Contractors, a civil construction company based in Mosgiel that has been operating for around 40 years. The fleet includes 40–45 trucks, around 20 diggers and excavators, loaders and directional drills, all of it needing diesel to stay productive. With a fleet of this size and complexity, keeping every machine fuelled isn't optional, it's what keeps the whole business running.In this testimonial, Danny shares what nearly two decades of working with RD Petroleum ...

From the Driver's Seat: Hokonui Hills

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from Steven, held up (in the best way) in the Hokonui Hills.Driver: Steven Route/Location: Hokonui Hills, Southland Delivery: DieselSteven came around a bend on this gravel road to find a mob of sheep being moved along...

From the Driver's Seat: Macraes

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from Manpreet, on a delivery out to Macraes.Driver: Manpreet Route/Location: Macraes, East Otago Delivery: Fuel transportManpreet caught this one pulled up on a gravel pad, with the rolling, sun-drenched hill country a...

From the Driver's Seat: Golden Bay

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from Kurt, on a delivery out to Golden Bay.Driver: Kurt Route/Location: Golden Bay Delivery: Fuel transportKurt caught this one right at sunrise, tanker parked up with the flax and coastline silhouetted against the fir...

12 Years with RDP, Never Run Out

Tristan runs TG Contracting out of Takaka, operating both an earthmoving business, now approaching 15 years, and an agricultural business, which has been running for six years. Across that time, he's relied on RD Petroleum for fuel supply for close to 12 years.In this testimonial, Tristan talks about what's kept him with RD Petroleum for over a decade: consistent, dependable deliveries that scaled with his business as his infrastructure grew, from a single smaller tank to a full setup of yard an...

From the Driver's Seat: Castle Hill

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from Sukhvir, on the road through Castle Hill.Driver: Sukhvir Route/Location: Castle Hill, Canterbury Delivery: Fuel DeliverySukhvir caught this one on a clear day, tanker parked roadside with the Craigieburn Range sti...

From the Driver's Seat: Hampden

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from Manpreet, on a break in Hampden.Driver: Manpreet Route/Location: Hampden, North Otago Delivery: Fuel transportManpreet pulled over for a break in Hampden just as the sky lit up, one of those sunrises that's worth ...

From the Driver's Seat: Waikaia Forestry

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from Cole, delivering to a forestry site near Waikaia.Driver: Cole Route/Location: Forestry site, Waikaia Delivery: Fuel transportCole pulled in alongside the harvesting crew for this one, tanker parked up next to a fr...

Reliable Jet A1 Support for Marlborough Helicopters

Marlborough Helicopters has been flying out of Omaka Airfield in Blenheim for around 40 to 45 years, with the company first established back in the 1980s. Current owners Tom Simon Moar and his business partner have run the operation for the last five years, flying a fleet of two Jet Ranger helicopters and one B2 Squirrel.In this testimonial, Simon explains why Marlborough Helicopters made the switch to RD Petroleum, what changed when a rep turned up on the doorstep with a simpler fuel solution, ...

From the Driver's Seat: Round Hill, Lake Tekapo

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our team out in the field. Each week we share a favourite shot from a delivery, along with a bit about where it was taken and what was going on.This week's shot comes from Nathan, delivering out at Round Hill, Lake Tekapo.Driver: Nathan Route/Location: Round Hill, Lake Tekapo Delivery: Fuel transportNathan caught this one late in the day, tanker parked up beside the shed with Lake Tekapo stretching out behind hi...

From the Driver's Seat: Devil's Staircase

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from Ricky, on the road through the Devil's Staircase, Queenstown.Driver: Ricky Route/Location: Devil's Staircase, Queenstown Delivery: Fuel transportRicky caught this one at dusk, with Lake Wakatipu and the surroundin...

From the Driver's Seat: Rakaia Gorge

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from Mike, crossing the riverbed near Rakaia Gorge.Driver: Mike Route/Location: Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury Delivery: Fuel transportMike caught this one mid-crossing, easing the truck through shallow water on the riverbed...

LPG Gas Bottle Refills & Delivery in Takaka & Golden Bay

If you're searching for LPG gas bottle refills in Takaka or reliable gas delivery in the Golden Bay area, RD Petroleum has you covered. As your local LPG supplier in Takaka at 20 Commercial Street, we offer everything from on-site refilling to residential and business 45kg gas delivery across the Golden Bay region.Whether you're topping up a small bottle for the barbecue or need a scheduled home delivery for your household gas supply, here's everything you need to know about our LPG services....

Aviation Fuel in the South Island: What Pilots Need to Know About Avgas & Jet A-1

Whether you're flying a Cessna out of a rural strip or operating a commercial helicopter service, getting the right fuel at the right location is non-negotiable. RD Petroleum is a CAA Part 19F certified aviation fuel supplier, and we've been expanding our aviation network across the South Island.Here's what pilots and operators need to know about aviation fuel in the South Island....

How Much Bulk Diesel Does a South Island Farm Actually Use? A Seasonal Breakdown

Fuel is one of the biggest operating costs on any South Island farm, but it's also one of the easiest to mismanage. Order too little and you're left scrambling during peak season. Order too much and you're tying up cash in a tank that's sitting half-full in summer.At RD Petroleum, we've been supplying bulk diesel to South Island farms for years, and we know that every operation is different. But there are some useful patterns that can help you plan better....

From the Driver's Seat: Cheeky Kea at Treble Cone

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from Cole, up at Treble Cone, with some unexpected company.Driver: Cole Route/Location: Treble Cone Ski Area, Wānaka Delivery: DieselCole had just parked up for a diesel delivery when a trio of kea decided the top of ...

From the Driver's Seat: Waiau River, Hanmer Springs

Every Thursday, we're handing the camera over to the people who know our roads best, our drivers. Each week one of the team sends in their favourite shot from a delivery, and we share it here along with a bit about where it was taken and what they were up to.This week's shot comes from Chris, on a rural run above the Waiau River, near Hanmer Springs.Driver: Chris Route/Location: Waiau River, Hanmer Springs Delivery: Fuel transportChris pulled over on a high point above the river for this one, wi...

Fuel Efficiency Tips for Farm Machinery and Fleets

Fuel is one of the biggest ongoing costs for any farm or rural business and with tractors, trucks, harvesters, and utes all pulling from the same tank, small efficiency gains add up fast. Here are some practical ways to get more out of every litre....

How to Keep Your Farm Fuel Safe Over Winter

Winter in the South Island is hard on farm equipment, and your fuel storage is no exception. Cold temperatures, condensation, and wet conditions can all affect the quality of your bulk diesel, and a fuel problem during calving or lambing season is the last thing you need.Here's what to watch for, and what you can do about it....

On-Farm Fuel Management: How to Track Usage and Cut Waste

Fuel is a big operating cost on most South Island farms, yet many operations have no system for tracking how much is being used, by which machine, or for what job. That makes it almost impossible to spot waste, identify inefficiencies, or budget accurately.The good news is that basic fuel management doesn't have to be complicated....

Why Using the Wrong Engine Oil Costs You More in the Long Run

Walk into any rural merchant and you'll see a wall of engine oils in different grades, brands, and specifications. With so many choices, and a tendency to just grab whatever's cheapest or most familiar, it's easy to end up with the wrong oil in your machinery.That mistake can be an expensive one....

Which Lubricant Is Right for Your Farm Equipment? A Quick Guide

Fuel gets all the attention, but lubricants are just as important to keeping your farm equipment running well. Using the wrong grade of engine oil, gear oil, or grease can accelerate wear, cause overheating, and lead to expensive mechanical failures.Here's a quick guide to help you get the right lubricant for the right job....