Know your rights

It is important that as a consumer, you know your rights. Whether you are buying goods or services in a shop, online, over the phone, or signing up to a consumer loan, you have rights. 

The Commerce Commision have helpful resources – find out about your rights as a consumer.

Consumer Protection provides a range of information and advice on the process of buying: what to know and do before, during and after purchasing a product or service.

Dispute resolution services are available if you are concerned about the actions of a financial services provider that you are a customer of. All providers belong to one of these approved independent dispute resolution schemes:

• Banking Ombudsman
• Financial Dispute Resolution Service (FDRS)
• Financial Services Complaints Limited
• Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) can help you with queries, concerns or complaints about investment products like KiwiSaver, financial advisers or share-trading activity. They also have a variety of guides specifically for investors and consumers.

Citizens Advice Bureau helps people to know and understand their rights and obligations and how to use this information to get the best outcomes. They provide people with the confidence and support they need to take action, and work for positive social change within communities and wider society. It is a a free and independent service to all.   

Community Law provides access to free legal help. This can be useful if you want to understand your rights and how you could make a complaint or find a solution to your situation. 

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to getting New Zealanders fairer deals and offers a range of helpful information and advice.

What Consumer NZ do:

• Test products and services, and recommend which we think are best
• Investigate issues we reckon consumers need to know more about
• Mystery shop and survey to keep businesses honest
• Advise thousands of consumers about their rights and how to exercise them
• Campaign to get laws and regulations changed to benefit consumers
• Recommend businesses you can trust

Utilities Disputes resolves complaints about power, gas, water and broadband on shared property.