Consumer NZ, previously known as Consumers' Institute of New Zealand, is an organization that covers a wide range of activities relating to

consumer protection Consumer protection is the practice of safeguarding buyers of goods and services, and the public, against unfair practices in the marketplace. Consumer protection measures are often established by law. Such laws are intended to prevent business ...

and information. Its work includes comparative tests and surveys of consumer goods and services, research into and advice on financial, food, health, safety, welfare and environmental matters, representation at parliamentary committees and public enquiries and interest in

consumer education Consumer education is the preparation of an individual to be capable of making informed decisions when it comes to purchasing products in a consumer culture. It generally covers various consumer goods and services, prices, what the consumer can e ...

and complaints advisory work.

History

The Consumers’ Council was established in 1959 ‘to protect and promote the interest of consumers of goods and services’. In 1963 the name Consumers Institute was adopted and in 1967 it became a separate government-funded entity. In 1986 the Ministry of

Consumer Affairs Consumer protection is the practice of safeguarding buyers of goods and services, and the public, against unfair practices in the marketplace. Consumer protection measures are often established by law. Such laws are intended to prevent business ...

was established and the Consumers Institute lost its special legal protection and government funding. The Consumers Institute became an incorporated society funded by members’ subscriptions in 1989 and in 2007 the Consumers’ Institute was renamed Consumer NZ. In 2016 the organisation had over 100,000 members and supporters. The

Minister of Consumer Affairs (New Zealand) The Minister of Consumer Affairs was a minister in the government of New Zealand with the responsibilities including corporate law and governance, financial markets, competition policy, consumer policy, protecting intellectual property, and tra ...

has cited Consumer NZ as a source of guidance for consumers wanting to understand the

Consumer Guarantees Act The Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) 1993 is a consumer protection law that was enacted in New Zealand in 1993. Consumer protections were previously in the Sale of Goods Act 1908. Differences over the Sales of Goods Act One of the CGA's big ...

. With the

Ministry of Consumer Affairs (New Zealand) The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE; mi, Hīkina Whakatutuki) is the public service department of New Zealand charged with "delivering policy, services, advice and regulation" which contribute to New Zealand's economic p ...

, Consumer NZ manages Powerswitch, which is a project to assist consumers in evaluating the costs of consuming electricity.

Testing

Consumer commissions independent laboratories to carry out product tests. Their membership of

Consumers International Consumers International is the membership organization for consumer groups around the world. Founded on 1 April 1960, it has over 250 member organizations in 120 countries. Its head office is situated in London, England, and has numerous region ...

means they benefit from an exchange of information with

consumer organisations Consumer organizations are advocacy groups that seek to protect people from corporate abuse like unsafe products, predatory lending, false advertising, astroturfing and pollution. Consumer Organizations may operate via protests, litigation, ...

around the world. The organization does not permit any marketer to use its test results to promote their products. The organization has been criticized for emphasizing shortcomings in

nursing homes A nursing home is a facility for the residential care of elderly or disabled people. Nursing homes may also be referred to as skilled nursing facility (SNF) or long-term care facilities. Often, these terms have slightly different meanings to in ...

, with health care workers saying that Consumers NZ demands more from health care services than it is reasonable to expect.

The Board

Consumer NZ is governed by an elected board of seven members who hold office for three years. The current chair is Richard Aston. The deputy chair is Sue Kedgley. As part of Consumers’ work on behalf of all NZ consumers, they regularly make submissions to Government and statutory authorities on a wide range of issues affecting consumers. Consumers' money comes from the sale of publications and subscriptions to ''Consumer'' and consumer.org.nz. When a customer subscribes to Consumer magazine or consumer.org.nz they become a member of Consumer NZ (unless they request otherwise) and have the right to nominate and vote for Board members. The style of the magazine has been critiqued and described as a "distinctive authorial" presentation.

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Consumers NZ Consumer organisations in New Zealand Members of Consumers International Consumer rights organizations