Consumer Issues

Sites

Banking Ombudsman

Provides a free, external and independent process to help people sort out their unresolved problems with banks.

CANNEX

CANNEX research, analyse and rate all financial products available in New Zealand and is relied on by over 70 banks and other financial institutions that pay to access data, which enables them to share this information with consumers for free. To help you compare financial products based on rates and features, they award CANNEX star ratings. Only the top products, those offering superior value, are awarded five stars.

Choice

Selections from the magazine and other consumer information. Most reports require payment. From Australian Consumers' Association

Citizens Advice Bureau

Provides assistance and information on a variety of topics (including consumer problems) to the general public through local bureau.

Consumer BankCheck

Compare bank fees & interest rates. Your independent guide to mortgages, bank accounts and credit cards. From Consumer Online

Consumer Guide

For nearly 40 years, Consumer Guide's® expert editors have helped people make smart buying decisions. Consumer reports, reviews, price quotes, and product comparisons are always available for free at Consumer Guide®.

Consumer Guide Products

Consumer Information - New Zealand Food Safety Authority

Information for consumers all about food safety, from the chemicals in everyday food through to information on product recall and foodborne illnesses.

Consumer Online

From the Consumers' Institute. Offers some free content from the magazine. Most requires paid subscription or on a pay-per-view basis. Includes an index to past issues

Consumer Reports

ConsumerBuild

ConsumerBuild aims to provide clear, independent and up-to-date information to the public about building, renovating and maintaining houses in New Zealand. Joint venture between Department of Building and Housing and Consumers' Institute.

Consumers' Institute product recall site.

Provides information on product recalls and safety warnings within New Zealand.

Consumers International

A worldwide non-profit federation of consumer organisations, dedicated to the protection and promotion of consumer interests.

Ecolabels and Sustainability Claims

This directory has been developed by the New Zealand government to improve the availability of information about ecolabels and other sustainability indicators relevant to consumers, suppliers and other organisations.

Electricity and Gas Complaints Commissioner

A free independent dispute resolution service for complaints about member electricity and gas lines and retail company in New Zealand.

Electricity Complaints Commission

Provides electricity consumers with assistance in resolving complaints about electricity lines or retail companies. The Commission is funded by member companies, but remains independent of the industry.

fuel$aver.govt.nz

How much do you spend on fuel? How much can you save?

Good Wood Guide

To learn about what wood to buy, and not to buy, check out the Good Wood Guide.

Insurance and Savings Ombudsman

Considers complaints against insurance companies and savings organisations who are participants of the Insurance and Savings Ombudsman scheme.

Look Learn Invest

A website set up by the Securities Commission to provide information on investing in securities (bank savings accounts and term deposits, debentures, bonds, shares, superannuation schemes, managed funds, and futures).

Ministry of Consumer Affairs Manatu Kaihokohoko

Motor Vehicle Traders Register

A public register that contains information about whether a motor vehicle trader is registered, and information about the trader's business, including its physical address.

No Cowboys

Find tradespeople in your area quickly and easily, see how they were rated by their previous customers, have your say and rate the tradespeople you have used.

Not Good Enough

NGE provides customers with an online space to seek advice, share experiences and learn accordingly.

PowerSwitch

Helps to determine which electricity retailer is best for you. From Consumer Online

Price watch

tracks fuel costs around New Zealand

Renting and You

Guide from the Department of Building & Housing

Scams

Consumers' Institute scam protection resource: check out the A - Z directory of scams, how to spot a scam, the common types of scams, and what to do if you've been scammed.

Scamwatch

Operated by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to warn New Zealand consumers about specific types of financial scams from overseas sources.

Sorted

Get your finances Sorted: information about saving, debt, retirement and money management that you can personalise for your own situation. From the Retirement Commission

TheyWorkForYou.co.nz

Records what MPs are doing in Parliament - contributions to debates, questions asked, pecuniary interests, committee work, ministerial portfolios etc. Not official - run by volunteers.

Trustmark.co.nz

Consumer information from the Direct Marketing Standards Authority and the Electronic Marketing Standards Authority.

Whatstax.govt.nz

An introduction to tax for first time taxpayers.