Lorde's plan to take on the ticket scalpers

It's invitation only to Lorde's US concerts. Photo / Dean Purcell

Lorde is wielding her star power to thwart scalpers ripping off fans.

The 17-year-old Grammy winner has announced a ticketing system in which only people "invited" to her show can purchase tickets and attend.

The online scheme - called Invitation Onsale - was launched this week to stop scalpers buying lots of tickets and on-selling them for high prices to genuine fans.

Lorde is touring North America over the next few months.

Similar ticket schemes have been used by Mumford & Sons and Ed Sheeran.

The ticket site is run by Artist Arena. Fans must sign up and be accepted before they can buy tickets. The site aims to ensure fans of the Kiwi songstress "have first access to the best tickets".

It is unclear whether the ticket system would be extended to Lorde's concerts in other countries including New Zealand. Her manager Scott Maclachlan was not available yesterday.

Ticket scalping is not illegal here but legislation is in place for "major events" meaning tickets cannot be sold for more than the purchased price. So far, only the 2011 Rugby World Cup has been classified as a major event.

Consumer Affairs advise people to only buy tickets through event organisers or authorised sellers.

"Consumers need to also remember that buying a ticket from an unauthorised seller puts you at risk of being supplied with a fake ticket, resulting in being denied entry to the event, or the ticket not being provided at all," the agency advised on its website.