Dave Gee: Life from Right Field

An ambitious New Zealand website believes sky-rocketing petrol prices will help increase the rate of signups to a newly formed "big buyer group", aimed at "reducing the burden" on everyday people.

The Cheap Petrol Petrol hopes to initially sign up 10,000 individuals, with a goal of 50,000 members by the end of the year. Those behind the website say a group that size would use over 100 million litres of petrol a year.

They're hoping that will give them enough clout and buying power to negotiate a cheaper rate on petrol for members.

The idea is to gain a discount of a similar level as that offered by supermarket vouchers (4-10 cents a litre), but through a petrol discount card that can be used as often as you want, and whenever you want.

The Cheap Petrol Project was started by Sammy Mishriki, who says the company is already in talks with all petrol providers (BP, Shell, Caltex, Gull, Mobil and GAS), and will look to go with the company that offers the cheapest petrol deal with no additional costs.

The petrol discount card is free for members, who can sign up online at the project's website. (It's planned that cards will be sent out once the initial target of 10,000 members is reached).

* Official website: The Cheap Petrol Project (NZ)