We’re trying to raise at least $70,000 by 4 October. Why? We’re not government funded. Not backed by big business. We’re 100% independent – and we only exist because no-bullsh*t people like you support us. We’re fighting to bring down high power prices, protect people from unsafe products and ban sneaky business tactics. Please keep our fight alive by donating today.
Jess: ‘Consumers deserve power they can afford and a market they can trust’
Jess Walker is Consumer’s communications and campaigns manager. With a background in advocacy and communications, she pushes for a fairer, more transparent electricity system.
“Electricity is an essential service, but too many households are struggling to keep up with rising costs, while a handful of large companies dominate the market.
“Consumers deserve an electricity system that is fair, transparent and accountable, and we’ll keep pushing for reforms that put people first.”
The biggest win I’ve celebrated recently is … 82,085 people signing the petition to back our four-point plan to bring down power bills. People power of that magnitude will be hard for politicians to ignore.
I saw red when … the gentailer profit announcements started rolling in. Yes, businesses need to make a profit, but when those profits are in the hundreds of millions at the same time that a fifth of people are going to bed early or cutting back on food or essentials to pay the bills, it makes my blood boil.
I’ll know we’ve succeeded when … people can always access the power they need to be warm and well.
Gemma: ‘Safety should come before sales’
Gemma Rasmussen is Consumer’s head of research and advocacy, with a background in journalism, data and communications. As a product safety advocate, she pushes businesses and regulators to put consumer safety first.
“When products aren’t safe, consumers can suffer serious consequences. If people are put at risk, we make sure companies take responsibility when things go wrong.
“People should be able to trust that the products they buy are safe for themselves and their tamariki.”
The biggest win I’ve celebrated recently is … Elle Chrisp and David Dingwall winning their nine-month battle with Kmart after play sand they bought for their twins was found to contain tremolite asbestos. Consumer helped to share their story with the wider public, and we were thrilled with the level of media attention it received. We’ve heard this story has given other families the confidence to seek compensation for expenses they’ve incurred because of the contaminated sand.
I saw red when … I spoke to Elle and David about their battle – they were made to feel hysterical and unreasonable, effectively fobbed off. It is illegal to import asbestos into New Zealand. Elle and David, and thousands of families like them, are not hysterical or unreasonable. Contaminated play sand should never have been in their shopping baskets, never mind their homes and children’s hands.
I’ll know we’ve succeeded when … our government starts taking product safety seriously and resources it appropriately. Our current product safety system waits for an issue to occur, and then there’s a recall. That’s a really dangerous model.
Aneleise: ‘Calling out bad behaviour creates a fairer market for everyone’
As Consumer’s senior legal and policy advisor, Aneleise investigates poor business practices and shines a light on conduct that leaves consumers worse off.
“It’s unacceptable that some businesses rely on confusing contracts, hidden conditions, misleading claims or pressure tactics to make a sale.
“If a business is misleading people, hiding the catch, or making it hard to get a fair deal, we’re going to call them out. Consumers deserve honesty, not excuses.”
The biggest win I’ve celebrated recently is … the ramped-up penalties regime in the Fair Trading Act. This is long overdue and will hopefully provide a better incentive for businesses to comply with the law and stop misleading consumers.
I saw red when … the government backed out of fixing our unfair contract terms regime. Currently, only the Commerce Commission can take action on unfair terms. In practice, this means consumers are largely helpless when faced with an unfair contract term, making the rules pretty pointless.
I’ll know we’ve succeeded when … our consumer protection laws are up to scratch – or at least as good as those in other countries with strong protections.
Jon: ‘Help us keep calling bullsh*t’
As chief executive, Jon leads Consumer’s work to create a fairer marketplace for everyone. His previous roles include Assistant Privacy Commissioner, head of trust and safety at Trade Me and senior investigator at the Commerce Commission.
Whether it’s challenging misleading claims, pushing for stronger consumer protections, exposing unfair pricing or holding businesses accountable for unsafe products, he’s focused on making sure consumers have a strong and independent voice.
“Our independence matters. It means we can say what needs to be said, even when it’s uncomfortable. Donations help keep that fight alive.”
The biggest win I’ve celebrated recently is ... when a major political party (Labour) created policy based largely on our campaign for fairer repayment times for retirement village residents exiting villages. If that party forms the new government post-election, this policy should become law, fixing a situation that has caused harm to many residents and their families over the years.
I saw red when ... the associate minister of transport largely ignored a petition signed by more than 10,000 people calling for airlines to be required to tell passengers their rights when flights are delayed or cancelled. The minister already has the legal powers to do this under the Civil Aviation Act but is instead proposing a voluntary code, which has no force of law and could place no meaningful requirement on the airlines to do more than they currently do (which is bugger all). The minister has ignored the consumer voice and pursued an option that puts the interests of big business before consumers. That sux.
I’ll know we’ve succeeded when ... I don’t need to come to work anymore, because consumers are adequately protected and markets are producing fair outcomes for people and businesses. There is still plenty of work to do, so I don’t think I can retire quite yet.
How you can help
Every day, Consumer NZ stands up to powerful interests on behalf of consumers.
We investigate. We challenge. We expose. And when change is needed, we push for it.
None of this happens without the support of people who believe consumers deserve a fair deal.
Every donation helps fund the investigations, campaigns and public pressure that turn consumer frustration into change.
If you believe businesses should be held accountable, products should be safe and consumers should have someone in their corner, please make a donation today.
Together, we can keep calling bullsh*t.
