Media releases

See the media releases Consumer NZ has issued.

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Abby Damen
Communications and
Campaigns Adviser
022 175 5650
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Jessica Walker
Communications and
Campaigns Manager
021 246 8726
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Airbnb and Bachcare cancellation terms risk breaching Fair Trading Act 24 November 2020
We’re calling out Airbnb and Bachcare for their unfair cancellation policies.
Consumer NZ welcomes supermarket investigation 17 November 2020
Commerce Commission to undertake market study of supermarket industry.
Consumers struggling with hard-to-fix appliances 24 September 2020
Survey finds less than half of Kiwis think it's easy to find someone to fix an appliance.
Consumers paying millions too much for mobile phone plans 17 September 2020
Investigation finds some consumers are significantly overpaying for mobile plans.
New research finds the durability of stick vacuum cleaners sucks 3 September 2020
A recent survey shows Kiwis are let down by how long their stick vacuum cleaners are lasting.
78% of Kiwis willing to pay more for appliances built to last, but lack information they need 26 August 2020
A recent survey of consumers shows New Zealanders want better information on which products are built to last.
Supermarket “specials” risk misleading shoppers 5 August 2020
Consumer NZ’s latest supermarket survey found products can be on “special” so often shoppers risk being misled about the savings they’re getting.
Consumer NZ survey reveals best and worst power companies 17 Jun 2020
Trustpower rated as the worst performer in Consumer NZ’s latest survey of satisfaction with power companies.
Air NZ sitting on millions of dollars from cancelled flights 28 May 2020
Just six percent of Air New Zealand customers in our survey had been given refunds for cancelled flights.
Consumer NZ calls out Air New Zealand over refund practices 18 May 2020
Air New Zealand's refusal to provide refunds for cancelled flights may breach Fair Trading Act.
Power costs a big worry for one in three Kiwis, Consumer NZ finds 23 Apr 2020
Household power costs are a major concern for a third of Kiwis, Consumer NZ’s latest electricity survey shows.
New CEO for Consumer NZ 3 February 2020
The Consumer NZ Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Jon Duffy, Assistant Privacy Commissioner, as the new Chief Executive of Consumer NZ.
Diet and “detox” teas pulled from sale after Consumer NZ investigation 23 Jan 2020
Several brands of diet and “detox” tea have been withdrawn from sale after Consumer NZ found they contained a classified medicine.
Consumer NZ reveals best and worst ways to buy insurance 22 Jan 2020
Buy insurance from a bank or insurance broker and you’re much less likely to be a satisfied customer, Consumer NZ’s annual insurance survey shows.

Misleading green claim on baby wipes leads to recall 19 Dec 2019
A major brand of baby wipes that claimed to be “100% biodegradable” is being recalled after a Consumer NZ test found the claim was misleading.
Consumer NZ Board announces CEO Sue Chetwin resignation 13 Nov 2019
The Board of Consumer NZ has accepted, with great regret, the resignation of its chief executive officer Sue Chetwin.
Christchurch funeral directors Lamb & Hayward achieve Consumer Trusted accreditation 30 Jul 2019
Christchurch-based funeral home first to achieve Consumer Trusted recognition.
Shoe Clinic first to five years with Consumer Trusted accreditation 25 Jul 2019
Consistently high standards of customer care earn retailer Consumer Trusted recognition.
Best curtains & blinds for keeping warm revealed 6 Jun 2019
Consumer NZ testing reveals the right curtains and blinds can keep your home warm and comfortable this winter.
Don’t fall for retailers’ “out of warranty” excuses 23 May 2019
Consumer rights don’t end when the product warranty does.
Consumer launches guide to chemical disposal 1 Feb 2019
Consumer NZ compiles a free council-by-council guide to disposing of unwanted household chemicals.

Country-of-origin labelling finally passed 29 Nov 2018
Kiwis will finally be able to identify where their fruit and vege come from after the Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Act passed its third reading in parliament yesterday.
Winners announced in the 13th Plain English Awards 15 Nov 2018
Winners in the 13th annual Plain English Awards were announced at a ceremony in Wellington this evening. Wellington Mayor Justin Lester gave an opening address to a full house of finalists from throughout New Zealand, gathered at the City Gallery Wellington.
Cost of power leaves many consumers in the cold 11 Sep 2018
The Electricity Price Review’s initial report, released today, backs up Consumer NZ’s research that shows rising power prices are leaving many households struggling to pay their bills.
Rest home breaches care contract 17 Aug 2018
More shortfalls have been found at St Kilda Care Home, less than a year since it was ordered to refund $10,000 for failing to provide reasonable care to a 92-year-old resident.
Kiwis top for skin cancer rates 31 Jul 2018
A new study which shows New Zealand has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world confirmed the need to ban sunbeds and make sunscreen standards mandatory, Consumer NZ says.
Renters getting raw deal from property managers 04 Apr 2018
Tenants who rent through a property management company are significantly more likely to experience problems, a Consumer NZ survey has found.
Would-be mums upsold expensive pregnancy multivitamins 16 Mar 2018
Pharmacies are promoting pregnancy multivitamins with overblown claims, a Consumer NZ mystery shop has found.
Health star rating to be removed from Milo powder 01 Mar 2018
Nestle is removing the 4.5 health star rating from its Milo powder, a product given a Bad Taste Food Award by Consumer NZ in 2016.
Consumer win on ATM fees 19 Feb 2018
ANZ’s decision to remove the $1 fee it charges customers for using another bank’s ATM follows a call from Consumer NZ for all banks to remove these charges.

We’re calling for added sugar labelling 21 Nov 2017
Consumer NZ and the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) are asking the government to back new rules for the labelling of added sugars in food and drinks.
Rest home ordered to pay $10,000 for law breaches 08 Nov 2017
Major rest home provider Bupa Care Services has been ordered to pay $10,000 by the Disputes Tribunal after failing to deliver reasonable standards of care to a 92-year-old woman who resided at its St Kilda Care Home in Cambridge.
No vitamin benefits from light-proof milk 11 Aug 2017
Despite claims light-proofed containers protect the vitamins in milk, Consumer NZ testing reveals there’s little difference in nutrient content between major milk brands.
Consumer investigating ticket resellers 20 Apr 2017
Consumer NZ is joining forces with consumer groups in Australia and the UK to investigate complaints about ticket reselling sites such as Viagogo and Ticketmaster Resale.

Beauty clinics wrongly removing skin lesions 15 Jun 2016
A Consumer NZ mystery shop found seven beauty clinics willing to remove a raised skin spot, when our undercover shopper should have been sent to a GP.

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