Pongaroa in the lower North Island is home to just 120 people and has been without a petrol pump for four years. Chipocalypse: potato shortage in New Zealand sparks crisp crisis Read moreFrustrated with the commute and determined to keep their rural town viable, Pongaroa’s residents fundraised NZ$250,000 to build a petrol station. Around New Zealand essential services are increasingly withdrawing from small towns and postal deliveries are being scaled back. Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Pongoroa petrol station while it was under construction. Allied Petroleum general manager Alastair Tennent told RNZ he suspected Pongaroa’s determination in getting a fuel pump would inspire other New Zealand towns in isolated regions to do the same.

Source: The Guardian October 17, 2017 01:03 UTC