How the Commission helps
We are New Zealand's competition, consumer and regulatory agency.
When you buy goods or services in New Zealand you are protected by consumer laws. The Commission enforces some of these laws including ones that give you rights when you borrow money or buy goods on credit.
We also enforce business competition laws and have regulatory responsibilities in the electricity lines, gas pipelines, telecommunications, dairy and airport sectors which aim to benefit consumers.
The consumer laws we enforce include:
- Fair Trading Act which prohibits false and misleading behaviour by businesses
- Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act which protects consumers when they borrow money or buy goods on credit
- Commerce Act which prohibits anti-competitive mergers and behaviour.
Reporting a concern
If you have a concern about the conduct of a trader or individual, you can report a concern to us. We get thousands of complaints every year, so unfortunately we can not investigate all of them. We have a prioritisation process to make sure that we address the issues that cause the most harm or have the potential to cause the most harm to consumers. However, we are grateful for all information we receive as it help us understand the issues consumers are experiencing and where best to direct our resources.
Read more about reporting a concern.
For concerns about misleading or deceptive conduct relating to financial products or services (apart from consumer loans) please contact the FMAopen_in_new .
Who else can help
Some of the contacts we receive are outside the scope of our responsibilities such as concerns about faulty goods and services and breaches of advertising standards. We do not provide legal advice to consumers or businesses. We also do not regulate retail prices in any industry. As long as businesses are not involved in anti-competitive or misleading activities we don't decide if retail prices are fair.
Other organisations which may be able to help you include:
- the Consumer Protection website open_in_new for information on the Consumer Guarantees Act
- a community law centre open_in_new or lawyer open_in_new
- a Citizens Advice Bureau open_in_new
- MoneyTalks open_in_new (free and confidential budgeting advice)
- FinCapopen_in_new (trust supporting financial mentors)
- the Advertising Standards Authority open_in_new
- Consumer Protection’s scamwatch open_in_new or the FMA's scam section open_in_new
- the anti-spam open_in_new unit of the Department of Internal Affairs.