Community Law
Your local Community Law Centre can provide you with free initial legal advice.
Find your local Community Law Centre online: www.communitylaw.org.nz/our-law-centres
Consumer Protection
The Consumer Protection website has useful information on a range of consumer topics. Consumer Protection is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE).
Website: www.consumerprotection.govt.nz
Email: cpinfo@mbie.govt.nz
Phone: 0508 426 678 (0508 4 CONSUMER)
Consumer NZ
The Consumer NZ website provides a wide range of information on consumer issues and template letters you can use to write to traders to enforce your rights.
Website: www.consumer.org.nz
Email: info@consumer.org.nz
Phone: 0800 226 786 (0800 CONSUMER)
Commerce Commission
The Commerce Commission enforces the laws against misleading and deceptive conduct by traders (the Fair Trading Act) and the consumer credit legislation (the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act). The Commission provides information on these areas on its website.
Website: www.comcom.govt.nz
Email: contact@comcom.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 943 600
To make a complaint online: comcom.govt.nz/make-a-complaint
To read consumer rights in different languages: comcom.govt.nz/consumers/read-about-your-consumer-rights-and-business-responsibilities-in-another-language
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
CAB provides free, confidential and independent information and advice. See CAB’s website for valuable information on a range of topics.
Website: www.cab.org.nz
Phone: 0800 367 222
Facebook: www.facebook.com/citizensadvicenz
Find your local CAB office: www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab
FinCap and Money Talks
FinCap is a non-government organisation providing free financial mentoring services.
Website: www.fincap.org.nz
Email: kiaora@fincap.org.nz
Phone: 04 471 1420
MoneyTalks is a financial capability helpline operated by FinCap. The Financial Mentors offer free, confidential advice by phone, text, email and live chat.
Email: help@moneytalks.co.nz
Phone: 0800 345 123
Text: 4029
Live chat: www.moneytalks.co.nz
Insolvency and Trustee Service (ITS)
The ITS deals with bankruptcies, no-asset procedures, summary instalment orders and some company liquidations. Information about those processes is available on its website. The ITS is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
Website: www.insolvency.govt.nz
Phone: 0508 INSOLVENCY (0508 467 658)
Dispute Resolution Schemes
There are four dispute resolution schemes for consumers dealing with lenders and other credit providers. Contact the scheme your service provider has registered with.
1. Financial Services Complaints
Website: fscl.org.nz
Phone: 0800 347 257
2. Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman
Website: www.ifso.nz
Phone: 0800 888 202
3. Banking Ombudsman
Website: www.bankomb.org.nz
Phone: 0800 805 950
4. Financial Dispute Resolution Service
Website: www.fdrs.org.nz
Phone: 0508 337 337
Your credit record
There are three credit reporting companies that operate nationally in New Zealand. To check your record or correct any information, you’ll need to contact them all.
You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit record. You should make sure you choose the free option when you contact each company.
1. Centrix – www.centrix.co.nz – 0800 236 874
2. Illion – www.illion.co.nz – 0800 733 707
3. Equifax – www.equifax.co.nz – 0800 698 332
Personal Properties Securities Register (PPSR)
Search the PPSR register to see if there is any security interest registered against a vehicle. This can be done for a small fee by registering to check online.
Website: www.ppsr.companiesoffice.govt.nz
Privacy Commissioner
The Privacy Commissioner has information on your rights in relation to credit reporting and how to complain if you feel your rights have been breached.
Website: www.privacy.org.nz
Email: enquiries@privacy.org.nz
Phone: 0800 803 909
To make a complaint online: go to the website above and select “Your rights tab” then “Complaining to the Privacy Commissioner”
