Nearly a quarter of Aucklanders have upped their use of public transport in the past year to avoid high fuel prices, while others are travelling further to get fuel at a cheaper price.

According to research conducted by Canstar Blue, more than 60 percent of those surveyed said they actively monitor the cost of fuel.

Canstar General Manager Jose George said the findings suggest the cost of fuel has social impact.

"More prominently among the younger generation, the Gen Y. About 32% of them are saying we are quite comfortable jumping out of our cars and getting on a train, or a bus, or a ferry. That's an interesting insight."

The research shows that New Zealanders as whole are keen to shop around for cheap petrol, but nowhere more so than in Auckland.

"People do tend to go out of their way looking for fuel and it may sometimes be on their way when they travel, but it also happens that people do step out of their way to look for fuel - especially when they find a good deal," said George.

Aucklanders are willing to travel more than 13 kilometres to fuel up at a cheaper price, whereas Wellingtonians will travel just 8-and-a-half kilometres for a good deal.

Despite Kiwis monitoring the cost of fuel, the survey suggested that 57 percent felt they were unable to understand the factors influencing petrol prices and how the market operated.

Petrol prices are currently sitting at around 211.9 for 91 Octane in Auckland, a jump from 204.9 at the end of May.