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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....

Understanding Fuel Price Fluctuations in New Zealand: What Businesses Should Know

If you're running a business that depends on fuel, whether it's a farming operation, a transport company, or a building contractor, you've probably noticed that your fuel costs can swing significantly from month to month. Understanding why prices move the way they do can help you plan better....

5 Ways a Fleet Fuel Card Saves Your Business Time and Money

Fuel is one of the biggest variable costs for any business that runs vehicles. Whether you have two service vans or twenty, keeping track of what you're spending, and making sure you're spending it wisely, matters for your bottom line.A fleet fuel card is one of the most straightforward ways to get that control. Here's how it works in practice....

RD Petroleum Fuel Card vs. Other NZ Fuel Cards: What's the Difference?

If your business runs vehicles, whether it's a farm Ute, a delivery fleet, or a team of service vans, a fuel card can simplify your life considerably. Instead of staff using personal cards and submitting receipts, a business fuel card gives you centralised billing, detailed transaction reports, and control over what can be purchased.But not all fuel cards are created equal. Here's how the RD Petroleum fuel card stacks up....

Why You Should Use Diesel For Your Home Heating

In New Zealand, heating with diesel becomes more popular every day. Using diesel for home heating can be a smart choice depending on your location, budget, and needs. Here are several reasons why you might consider using diesel for home heating:...

Home Heating Diesel vs. Other Heating Options: What's Right for South Island Homes?

With energy costs and climate conversations front of mind for many New Zealanders, it's worth taking a clear-eyed look at your heating options. Diesel heating isn't rightfor every home, but for many South Island properties, it remains one of the most practical and cost-effective choices.Here's an honest comparison....

How Long Will My Home Heating Diesel Last? A Simple Guide

One of the most common questions we get from home heating customers is: 'How long will my tank last?' It's a reasonable thing to want to know, especially heading into winter when you don't want to run out in the middle of a cold week.The honest answer is that it depends on a few key factors. Here's how to work it out for your home....

When Should You Order Home Heating Diesel in the South Island? (Don't Leave It Too Late)

Every winter, we take calls from homeowners who've run out of heating diesel in the middle of a cold snap. It's a stressful situation, especially with young children or elderly family members at home, and it's almost always avoidable.The simple answer: Order before you think you need to. But let's get a bit more specific....

RD Petroleum Welcomes Two Landmark Additions to Our Fuel Tanker Fleet

At RD Petroleum, we're always investing in the people, technology, and vehicles that keep fuel moving safely and reliably across the South Island. That's why we're proud to announce two major additions to our fleet: a powerful new Scania 650 G-Series and the first-ever Euro 6 Volvo FM 540 fuel tanker in New Zealand.These aren't just new trucks on the road, they represent a step forward in how we deliver fuel to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. Both tanker...

RD Petroleum is Proud to Support the 2026 Rakiura / Stewart Island Beach Clean-up

Some of New Zealand's most beautiful coastlines are also some of the hardest to reach, and that's exactly why they need the most support. This year, RD Petroleum was proud to back the Southern Coastal Charitable Trust as it delivered the 2026 Rakiura / Stewart Island Beach Clean-up, held from 6 to 10 July....

From the Driver's Seat: 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, on a delivery up to Treble Cone.Driver: Cole Route/Location: Treble Cone Ski Field, Wānaka Delivery: Fuel DeliveryCole caught this one on the access road, tanker parked up with the ski field's snowmaking gu...

"Good Service, Good Fuel and Help at our Fingertips."

Southern Lakes Helicopters has been operating out of Te Anau for over 40 years, running a fleet of 11 aircraft across the South Island, down to Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands, and up to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. With operations that include 24/7 emergency response for fire, police and search and rescue, there is no margin for error when it comes to fuel supply.In this testimonial, Safety Manager Richie Hunter explains why Southern Lakes Helicopters chooses RD Petroleum as their ...

16 Years with RDP on a 101-Year Family Farm

Te Anau Downs Station has been in Peter Chartres' family for over 101 years, with Peter himself at the helm for the past 42. Running sheep, cattle, deer and exotic forests across the station, the operation relies on a fleet of tractors, diggers, dump trucks, bulldozers and light vehicles, all running on diesel.In this testimonial, Peter shares what it's meant to have RD Petroleum as his bulk diesel supplier since 2010, 16 years of reliable delivery through development projects, a nationwide fuel...

From the Driver's Seat: Lindis Pass

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 snowy run over Lindis Pass.Driver: Chris Route/Location: Lindis Pass Delivery: Jet A1 aviation fuelChris caught this one mid-snowfall, rig pulled over on the roadside as the flakes came down over the p...

"A Dream Company Compared to What We Had Previously"

Hamish Benny runs Belfield, an 800-hectare mixed farming property in the Hakataramea Valley, South Canterbury, running 3,000 ewes, 200 fattening cattle, 600 replacement hoggets and 100 hectares of cropping, alongside significant haymaking and silage operations. With a farm of this scale and complexity, a fuel supplier who can keep pace matters.In this testimonial, Hamish shares why switching to RD Petroleum felt like moving to a completely different level of service, and how having tanks that ar...

From the Driver's Seat: Awatere 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 Rich, on a snowy run through the Awatere Valley.Driver: Rich Route/Location: Awatere Valley Delivery: Fuel transportRich caught this one on a proper winter's day, with snow settled on the road and hills all the wa...

Why Contrax Central Moved to RDP and Never Looked Back

Contrax Central Limited has been operating across Southland and Central Otago for more than 25 years, delivering heavy earthmoving and civil construction projects. With excavators, dozers and graders working long hours, a reliable fuel supplier is essential to keeping the business moving.In this testimonial, Manager John Marnane explains why Contrax Central switched to RD Petroleum more than a decade ago, and how having fuel, oils and lubricants supplied by one trusted provider has simplified th...

Why Pete & Belinda Trust RDP After 10 Years

Pete and Belinda have been farming in Fiordland for more than 10 years with RD Petroleum as their trusted fuel supplier. Alongside running a sheep farm, they also operate a diesel-heated Airbnb, making a dependable fuel supply essential for both their farming operation and their guests.In this testimonial, Pete and Belinda share why they've stayed with RD Petroleum for over a decade and how reliable fuel deliveries have given them one less thing to worry about. From keeping farm machinery runnin...

"We Haven't Run Out of Fuel in 20 Years"

Jolly Earthworks has been operating in Wanaka for more than 20 years, providing aggregate and hard fill products for construction and infrastructure projects across the region. With heavy machinery and road trucks consuming around 1,000 litres of diesel every day, a reliable fuel supply is critical to keeping the operation running efficiently.In this testimonial, General Manager Lucas Dufty shares why Jolly Earthworks has trusted RD Petroleum for bulk diesel supply over the past two decades. Fro...

"RDP Saved Us $4000 a Month"

Dwyer-Lewis Earthworks has been operating across North Canterbury for nearly 25 years, providing earthmoving, agricultural contracting and quarrying services. With a fleet of motor scrapers, graders, excavators, trucks and tractors working across multiple sites, a dependable diesel supply is essential to keeping projects on schedule.In this testimonial, owner Shane Dwyer shares why Dwyer-Lewis Earthworks switched to RD Petroleum and how the move helped save the business around $4,000 per month i...