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Story: Oil and gas

Europa petrol station

Audio file

During the 1930s, Europa was one of the brand names under which imported petrol was sold to New Zealand motorists. This radio jingle was used to advertise the fuel to motorists.

Transcript

Clean burning your Europa! Product of the only New Zealand oil company.

[Singing]
Clean burning Europa, petrol with pep. 
Keeps your engines sweeter, 
make your engines step. 
All along the way, 
why motorists say,
it's clean-burning Europa for me! 
[end singing]

Because Europa is 100 percent New Zealand owned and operated, because it is the only New Zealand oil company, every New Zealander benefits from the contribution Europa makes to the economy of New Zealand. You personally benefit too, because clean burning Europa reduces running expenses, steps up engine efficiency and gives you more trouble-free miles to every gallon.

[Singing]
All along the way,
why motorists say,
it's clean-burning Europa, for me!

Using this item

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Reference: 22098

Image: Bill Richardson Transport World

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How to cite this page

Roger Gregg and Carl Walrond, Oil and gas – The need for oil and gas, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/speech/8907/europa-petrol-station (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Roger Gregg and Carl Walrond, published 2 March 2009.