The ride is over for motorists after fuel prices rose for the first time since October.

Petrol and diesel prices had both fallen nearly 50 cents a litre as tumbling commodity prices led to a record run of 22 consecutive cuts at the pump.

But today, fuel rose 4 cents a litre at the pump, driven by a depreciating New Zealand dollar.

A litre of 91-octane lifted to 176.9c, and diesel 110.9c.

BP spokesman Jonty Mills said the falling kiwi dollar had turned the tide on petrol prices.

An industry rule of thumb suggests an US1c fall in the currency corresponds to a 1c rise in the price of fuel.

Over the past week the New Zealand dollar has fallen more than 2c to below US73c, a four-year low.

It has fallen more than 4c in the past few weeks.

Commodity prices also recently rose for the first time since September which, coupled with a falling dollar, was tipped to force the next move at the pump up.

Automobile Association spokesman Mark Stockdale said last week retailer margins had been high enough to absorb these cost increases, "and then some".

"Margins are now back to the level they were in the first half of 2014 and are at a level that we hope fuel companies will be comfortable enough with so that they won't look at raising prices at this stage, " he said.

"Although the AA does not realistically expect a price cut at current margins, if the commodity price rises further or the dollar falls, we may have to brace ourselves for the first retail price increase in four months."