Convoy protesters plan to stand up to high fuel prices by filling up their cars and driving around New Zealand

The cost of petrol has risen to over $3 per litre this year.
The cost of petrol has risen to over $3 per litre this year. Photo credit: Getty Images/Facebook

Convoy protesters have planned to stand up to the soaring fuel prices by filling up their cars and driving around New Zealand this weekend.

While it is no secret that fuel prices have been rising this year, some Kiwis fed up with the pain at the pump are planning to take to the roads on Sunday to protest the fuel prices.

A poster circulating on social media reads: "Enough is enough. We deserve better."

"Start your engines get ready to roll!" it continues.

"Stand up to fuel prices New Zealand-wide!"

People on social media have noticed the irony of the posts pointing out that the protest against fuel prices involves buying a lot of fuel.

"Protesting rising fuel prices by driving is possibly the silliest thing I've heard," one person said.

"Can't afford the petrol," another person commented.

However, one of the protest supporters said while they can see the irony, they said gathering in a large group and making noise is the best way to gain attention and encourages anyone to do whatever they can to support.

It appears the protest has some crossover with the anti-mandate crowd after a link to the protest was shared by Zeb Jackson Live, who according to the NZ Herald live-streamed her confrontation with former All Black Eric Rush over a not wearing a mask at a supermarket.

A spokesperson for the event said in a press release they believe the looming fuel crisis was avoidable by the Government.

"Fuel is an essential item and not a luxury, it is vital to food security and a healthy economy along with healthy families and a healthy society," the spokesperson said.

They said they believe the closing of the country's only oil refinery Marsden Point has directly contributed to the fuel crisis.

A police spokesperson said they are aware of the planned action in some North Island locations and will be monitoring it.

Police said they will respond to any issues if they arise.

Convoy protesters plan to stand up to high fuel prices by filling up their cars and driving around New Zealand
Photo credit: Facebook / Zeb Jackson Live

The price of petrol has shot up this year, with the cost at the pump well-inflated compared to this time last year.

According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) the average national fuel price for 91 octane as of June 17 was $3.05 - a nearly 39 percent increase from June 18 last year.

But reducing the price of petrol isn't as easy as it sounds.

About half of what you pay for petrol comes from taxes, which primarily go towards transport infrastructure, so removing the tax would essentially be a funding cut.

Around 40 percent of the price of a litre of petrol comes from importers buying the actual product, crude oil, and shipping and transport costs, and another 10 percent is the margin retailers make. 

The Government has implemented a 25 cents per litre reduction in fuel excise duty until August, but once that's over the pain at the pump could get a lot worse.