Media releases
Media releases from the Commerce Commission.
Systemic breaches of consumer law lead to $1.5million fine for Kiwibank
Kiwibank has been fined $1.5million after pleading guilty to systemic and long-running breaches of the Fair Trading Act that led to 35,000 customers being overcharged a total amount of $6.8 million.
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Is your mobile plan right for you? Telcos could do more to tell you
Consumer NZ and the Commerce Commission encourage mobile providers to be more proactive in helping users choose the right plan.
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Consumer benefit key as ComCom allows increased investment in electricity network
The Commerce Commission today released its final decisions to increase revenue limits for national grid owner Transpower and local lines companies – recognising the significant investment required to maintain and upgrade New Zealand’s electricity network over coming years.
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ComCom takes legal action over One NZ’s ‘100%’ coverage claims for SpaceX service
The Commerce Commission is today filing criminal charges against One NZ (formerly Vodafone NZ) for representations made in its campaign promoting “100% mobile coverage. Launching 2024,” which the Commission believes may have breached the Fair Trading Act.
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Commission grants clearance for Elgas’ proposed acquisition of Vector’s LPG assets and Liquigas shares
The Commerce Commission has granted clearance for Elgas to acquire 60.25% of the shares in Liquigas Limited from Vector Investment Holdings Limited, as well as the assets of On Gas Limited from Vector Limited.
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ComCom signals potential deregulation of MTAS
The Commerce Commission is seeking feedback on its draft decision to consider deregulating the Mobile Termination Access Services (MTAS) – which allow customers on one mobile network to communicate with customers on another via voice calls and text messages (SMS) at regulated rates.
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Commerce Commission secures $200k penalty against lender charging up to 182.5% interest
Eagle M.A.N Group Limited (trading as Eagle MAN) has been ordered to pay a pecuniary penalty of $200,000 in the Christchurch High Court for providing high-cost loans which breached multiple aspects of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA) in the Commerce Commission’s first case enforcing rules applying to high-cost lenders.
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ComCom pushes for further improvements and full independence for telco disputes scheme
The Commerce Commission today published its draft 2024 report into the performance of Telecommunications Disputes Resolution (TDR) – the dispute resolution scheme established by the industry under the Telecommunications Act – assessing how well it’s serving the needs of Kiwi telecommunications users.
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Revealed: the WiFi routers to rent, upgrade to or buy outright
In partnership with the Commerce Commission, Consumer NZ has tested a number of WiFi routers and reveals that some broadband companies now provide devices as good as off-the-shelf options.
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Commission files proceedings against GIB manufacturer Winstone Wallboards for anti-competitive conduct
The Commerce Commission has filed proceedings under sections 27 and 36 of the Commerce Act in the Auckland High Court against Winstone Wallboards, a subsidiary of Fletcher Building that manufactures and supplies GIB-branded plasterboard. The Commission alleges that Winstone’s use of retroactive tiered rebates in its plasterboard supply agreements with building supplies merchants between 2017 and 2022 breached the Commerce Act.
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