Chaos at free fuel giveaway as locals compare pandemonium to the devastation caused by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake as promotion turns feral and families break down in tears
- Free fuel giveaway has caused chaos on the roads in Auckland and Christchurch
- BP announced they’d pay during a one hour window at two stores on Thursday
- More than 700 motorists lined the streets in gridlock for the promotion
A free fuel giveaway in New Zealand has caused chaos on the roads with one motorist comparing it to the pandemonium of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
BP announced the bill for petrol would be on them at two franchises in Auckland and Christchurch between 11am and 12pm on Thursday.
Traffic chaos ensued, with more than 700 motorists lining the streets for the freebie.
A free fuel giveaway in New Zealand has caused chaos on the roads in Auckland and Christchurch
A Christchurch motorist, who ‘bailed’ on the promotion after seeing the gridlock, likened the scenes to the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake eight years ago.
‘It was reminiscent of driving after the earthquakes,’ she told Stuff.
‘People were doing crazy s**t, I saw a Prius drive over the [traffic] island.’
Traffic management was in place at Christchurch’s Linwood petrol station on Gloucester Street, with about 12 staff stationed to deal with the crowds.
Janice Woods began to cry about the promotion because she was overwhelmed with joy.
‘It means being able to pay some money on the power bill. It’s really cool,’ she said.
BP announced the bill for petrol would be on them at two franchises in Auckland and Christchurch between 11am and 12pm on Thursday
Pictured: staff are seen assisting with the promotion amid the traffic delays on Thursday
Ms Woods filled up her whole tank, which cost about $120 and would last her five weeks.
She said she wouldn’t have been able to pay for her power if it wasn’t for the free petrol.
At the BP Connect Ormiston in Auckland, Mona-Lisa Grace-Tafengatoto said the freebie was ‘a good luck charm’ after someone crashed into her yesterday.
In Auckland, BP gave out $20 to motorists who missed out on the one-hour promotion.
BP managing director Debi Boffa said: ‘We’re thrilled to say fuel’s on us to the Ormiston and Dallington communities in Auckland and Christchurch’.
‘We regularly develop promotions that give back to our customers and thank them for their loyalty to us, and this is another example of that.’
‘Our free fuel giveaway is an exciting way to kick off the Fuel on Us promotion, which is designed to celebrate our long-standing partnership with AA Smartfuel and say thanks to our customers who use the programme.’
BP managing director Debi Boffa said: ‘We’re thrilled to say fuel’s on us to the Ormiston and Dallington communities in Auckland and Christchurch’