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 688 5463
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/groups/citizensadvicenz
Find your local CAB office: www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab
Product safety
This agency oversees the safety of consumer products that are not food, medicines or road vehicles. Their website has information for consumers about safety standards, product recalls and using products safely.
Website: www.productsafety.govt.nz
Email: cpinfo@mbie.govt.nz
Phone: 0508 627 774
Products recalled: www.productsafety.govt.nz/recalls
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
Motor Vehicle Traders Register
Before purchasing off a motor vehicle trader, check if they are registered.
Website: www.motortraders.med.govt.nz
Phone: 0508 MOTOR TRADERS (0508 668 678)
Buying a car privately
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
Check to make sure a car that you’re considering buying hasn’t been listed with the police as stolen.
Website: www.police.govt.nz/stolenwanted/stolen-vehicles
Other tips for buying a car privately from YouthLaw: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK8irFAn1as
Disputes Tribunal
The Disputes Tribunal can deal with claims up to the value of $30,000. It is less formal than a court and cheaper.
Website: www.disputestribunal.govt.nz/about-2
Phone: 0800 COURTS
Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal
The Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal can deal with claims up to the value of $100,000. It can only deal with disputes relating to registered traders (or those that should be registered).
Website: www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/motor-vehicle-dealer-disputes
Phone: 0800 268 787
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.
- Financial Services Complaints
Website: fscl.org.nz
Phone: 0800 347 257
Participants list: fscl.org.nz/search-financial-service-providers
- Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman
Website: www.ifso.nz
Phone: 0800 888 202
Participants list: www.ifso.nz/complaints#find-a-participant
- Banking Ombudsman
Website: www.bankomb.org.nz
Phone: 0800 805 950
Participants list: bankomb.org.nz/the-complaint-process/bank-participant
- Financial Dispute Resolution Service
Website: www.fdrs.org.nz
Phone: 0508 337 337
Participants list: fdrs.org.nz/become-a-scheme-member/scheme-member-search
Utilities Disputes Commissioner
The Commissions helps with complaints about electricity, gas, water and some fibre services.
Website: www.udl.co.nz
Phone: 0800 22 33 40
Participants list: www.udl.co.nz/making-a-complaint/complaint-form
