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Consumer in the Media
There could be a "surge" in the number of complaints received about the real estate industry with the establishment of a new complaints and disciplinary regime, a parliamentary committee believes. Parliament's justice and electoral select committee has reported back on the Real Estate Agents Bill. Consumer cited.
When it comes to sun protection, the Cancer Society is our most trusted brand - selling nearly two-thirds of all sunscreens in New Zealand. But its reputation is being called into question by the Consumers' Institute for the second time in just six months. Read more.
Consumer NZ has laid a complaint with the Commerce Commission over what it says are misleading claims made by the Cancer Society on two of its sunscreens. A second complaint has been made over SunSense Ultra, an Australian sunscreen widely available in New Zealand. Read more.
Two more sunscreens have failed to meet their sun protection (SPF) claims, a Consumer NZ test has found. Consumer NZ, which commissioned the testing, wants Cancer Society Roll-On Sunscreen SPF 30+ and Australian-made SunSense Ultra SPF 30+ recalled. Read more.
Staying warm this winter and being able to afford it are two big challenges facing families, especially with the cost of electricity and gas on the rise. So how can you make your home more energy efficient? Are heat pumps the answer? And what is the cheapest way to stay warm this winter. Consumer cited.
Three of New Zealand's most popular sunscreens have failed to meet their sun protection and broad spectrum readings and Consumer New Zealand want the products recalled. The institute investigated the country's 10 most popular sunscreens after a test this year found that the Cancer Society Trigger Spray failed to meet its SPF 30+ claim. Read more.
Consumer New Zealand says it's already conducting an inquiry into the price of food, focusing especially on dairy products. Chief Executive Sue Chetwin says the investigation so far has highlighted problems identifying who is taking what portion of the pie. Read more.
Consumers are set to save millions of dollars after Transpower settled a five-year battle with the Commerce Commission over electricity transmission prices. The commission has accepted Transpower's offer to reduce its price rises from 45% to 25% over three years in return for a greater say over future investments in the national grid. Consumer cited.
Consumer New Zealand says plans to ban harmful ingredients in hair dyes are not moving fast enough. Listen here.
Plans to look into pricing structures in the power industry are being welcomed. The Electricity Commission is looking into pricing structures, as power retailers prepare to push up their prices again ahead of winter. Read more.
Consumer New Zealand supports an investigation into the way the power industry operates as electricity retailers prepare for another round of price increases. Read more.
Power prices have risen by up to 10 per cent in the past year, and analysts warn more increases are likely at the end of winter. Consumer New Zealand's Bill Whitley said retail electricity rates went up between 7 and 10 per cent in the year to March. He said companies would be looking to make further increases as the wholesale price of electricity rose. Read more.
An Invercargill Contact Energy customer who secured a two-year freeze on his electricity price said it was wrong other Contact customers missed out on the deal. Consumer cited.
In a move to make consumers aware of the side-effects of hair dyes, an allergist has called for allergy warnings on hair dye labels to draw attention to the risks of chemical reactions to hair dye. Consumer cited.
Most people are paying much more than they need to in bank fees and some could get away without paying any, say industry analysts. Consumer cited.
Grocery price surveys are notoriously tricky exercises, for both the ever- shifting sands they are built on (widely fluctuating prices, tricky comparisons between brands, constant discounting, loyalty deals) and the extreme prickliness of supermarkets towards drawing attention to price differences. Consumer cited.
Banks are accused of charging customers hundreds of dollars a year in unnecessary fees - despite raking in huge profits. Consumer and banking experts told the Herald on Sunday that fees varied between banks, creating a potential for overcharging. Read more.
Oil prices jumped more than $US2 to above $US118 a barrel on Friday, on supply disruptions in Nigeria and the North Sea and fresh tensions between the United States and Iran. Consumer cited.
Napier widow Kay Caradus has been refunded the $3350 she paid for a vacuum cleaner sold door-to-door - now she just needs her old one back. Consumer cited.
The mayor of Wellington wants an assurance that the sale of Vector's local infrastructure will not mean electricity supply is compromised. Hong Kong firm Cheung Kong Infrastructure has taken over the network for $785 million sparking fears consumers in Hutt Valley and Wellington will face hikes in their power bills. Consumer cited.
The war between the country's two biggest phone companies is heating up as they battle for the home phonemarket. In the past month, Vodafone has launched an aggressive marketing campaign for its Home Phone Plus plan, while Telecom is promising "strong" offers and services for residential landline customers - including a $10 for 10 countries special this weekend. Other smaller players have also entered the home phone market, all of which Consumer New Zealand says is great news. Read more.
Insurance companies are boosting premiums to cover the cost of damage caused by bad weather. Adding hurt to consumers already hit by rising food and petrol prices, Statistics New Zealand figures show the cost of dwelling insurance has risen 34.2 per cent in the past five years - more than twice the rate of inflation. Consumer cited.
Critics have condemned the "unacceptable" burden placed on New Zealand consumers by planned new fuel taxes and levies. Politicians and consumer advocates said regional fuel taxes and the planned emissions trading scheme would combine to place heavy costs on consumers, via increased petrol prices and power bills. Consumer cited.
Hazardous chemicals in hair dyes may be subject to compulsory labelling in a bid to stop severe allergic reactions in people using do-it-yourself and salon products. Consumer NZ wants the Environmental Risk Management Authority to move swiftly so New Zealand meets standards introduced in Europe two years ago. Read more.
An allergist is calling for warnings on hair dye labels to highlight the risks of chemical reactions to hair dye. Vincent Crump, of the Auckland Allergy Clinic, said prolonged use of hair dye, particularly permanent colours, could increase the chance of a severe allergic reaction. Consumer cited.
A map is one of the best ways to find your way around the city or country, but increasingly, GPS navigation units are taking you where you want to go. Consumer New Zealand's Hamish Wilson purchased six GPS navigation kits and with Campbell Live, took them on a test drive around the streets of Wellington to find out which were the best and which were the worst. Watch Video.
Shopping online is more popular than ever, but Consumer NZ warns it is also more dangerous than ever. Read more.
Consumer NZ doubts Kiwi parents will be satisfied with voluntary rules devised by the Telecommunications Carriers Forum governing premium text messaging services. Read more.
Kiwis like to think they're no mugs when it comes to great coffee. Whether its espresso, cappuccino, straight black or caffe latte, we like to think we rule the roast - but as a shock new survey shows, espresso beans sold in supermarkets aren't meeting the taste test. Consumer cited.
An 81-year-old who says she felt pressured into buying a $3350 vacuum cleaner after enduring a two-hour demonstration from a door-to-door seller is taking the company to the Disputes Tribunal. Consumer cited.
Consumer NZ is warning people to be wary of cheap electrical gear after more than a dozen bargain retailers were found to be selling unsafe and illegal goods. Read more.
A Christchurch family feels it has a potential bomb in its living-room after being told its gas fire could explode. Consumer cited.
One man has lost $5,000 in the Storesonline website package scheme. Consumer has been warning about this company since 2004. Consumers' Institute cited.
John Gray of the Leaky Homes Action Group said a new association is being launched to fight for homeowners' rights, provide an advisory service at a discount and give disaffected owners a voice. Consumers' Institute cited.
Capital + Merchant Finance has gone into receivership owing $165 million. The Government should implement mandatory ratings. Consumers' Institute cited.
The high court has overturned a Commerce Commission ruling allowing Foodstuffs and Woolsworths to buy The Warehouse. Consumers' Institute cited.
A Nokia phone battery exploded while being charged. An advisory on a range of batteries was put out by Nokia in August, see our notice, however Nokia are investigating the latest incident. Consumers' Institute cited.
Discusses the ads that claim a lot of money can be made in a few days. Consumers' Institute cited. Listen to the broadcast. Media report.
A discussion on the compulsory nature of the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) being introduced by the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA). With Bill Whitley from Consumers' Institute, Nick Collins from Beacon Pathway, and Mike Underhill from EECA. Listen to the broadcast
The Consumers' Institute has today launched a new website www.consumersaver.org.nz/terminvestments to help people make fixed-term interest investment decisions. The site is available to all consumer.org.nz members, or you can access it for 7 days for $15. Read more
The Dominion post claims The Warehouse has set up a fund, with a gagging clause, for the child who was injured when pajamas bought at the store caught fire. The Warehouse will not confirm or deny this. Consumers' Institute cited. Read more.
An independent authority will be set up to investigate complaints and licensing issues about real estate agents, however some say the existing act should have been made to work. Consumers' Institute cited. Read more.
Mandatory licensing and a new monitoring body for real estate agents announced today will strip REINZ of it's right to self regulate. Consumers' Institute cited. Read more.
A recent Consumers' Institute survey has again rated Telecom's Xtra internet as the least popular for the third year in a row. read more
The Consumers' Institute surveyed over 1000 tradespeople across the country on their current charge out rates. You'll be shocked to hear how much these have increased over the past three years. watch here
A majority of shareholders have endorsed a recovery plan that will freeze all repayments until the end of April 2008. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Leaky building consultants have claimed the article by Consumers' Institute criticising their contracts and price estimates is unfair. Read more.
The Consumers' Institute is concerned about the lack of information provided by Geneva Finance ahead of its meeting on Monday, and has been denied representation at the meeting on behalf of investors. read more
Presently goods purchased under auction are not guaranteed by the Consumer Guarantees Act. The Auctioneers Association believe that TradeMe should be registered so that people can be held accountable for their sales. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
The directors of Geneva finance are being asked to show some faith and start investing in their own company. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Nearly 100,000 Genesis customers in Wellington are facing price rises of $100 a year on their power bill. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
The Consumers' Institute says investors waiting for repayment from Geneva Finance should be asking the management some tough questions. read more
The new advertisements featuring Erin Brokovich supporting Noel Leemings have been questioned by the Consumers' Institute. read more
The Consumers' Institute is warning people to stay away from second tier investments, saying people may risk losing all their money. read more
Consumers need to be careful when hiring people to install new kitchens warns the Consumers' Institute. read more
House prices are becoming so unaffordable that people are having to take out one hundred percent loans. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Are the healthy options at your local fast food outlet really that healthy? read more
Mobil has agreed to replace the defective All Black figurines that have been sold in its service stations. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
The Consumers' Institute is supporting the recent announcement by Telecom that they will be splitting up their operations into three separate units. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
The NZ Government has introduced new laws to help ensure the safety of children's toys. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
The latest Consumers' Institute report looks at anti-aging creams, are they all they are cracked up to be? read more
Homogenised? Pasteurised? Organic? When it comes to milk, what should we be having? Belinda Allan spoke to Simon Morton about all the options available. listen here
What is in energy drinks? The Consumers' Institute has conducted a test on energy drinks. You might be surprised at how much sugar and caffeine is in these. watch the clip here
The Consumers' Institute and Grey Power are urging consumers to wait and see what other companies join up with the new SuperGold card. read more
Westpac NZ and the National Bank are reassuring its internet banking customers that they would not be held liable for online banking fraud. read more
Are banks the best option for investing your hard earned money? Consumers' Institute cited. read more
The Consumers' Institute believes that the Ministry of Consumer Affairs isn't being proactive enough about the increasing reports on the toxicity of products being imported from China. read more
Consumers who think they are doing "the right thing" by dialling *555 from their mobiles to report traffic incidents may find they are being charged to make the call. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Pippa Wetzell spoke to Sue Chetwin of the Consumers' Institute about the failure of yet another finance company, imported clothes and tooth whiteners. read more
After the recent scares from foods imported from China do consumers need to know where their food comes from? Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Under a new code of practice introduced by members of the New Zealand Bankers' Association, online customers could find themselves out of pocket if they are defrauded and do not have up-to-date software. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Sue Chetwin of the Consumers' Institute spoke to TV 3 news about the concerning level of toxicity on imported products. read more
Mattel recently announced a voluntary recall of toys due to the level of lead in the paint. read more
Sue Chetwin of the Consumers' Institute supports food labelling to ensure customers are well aware of where their food has come from. read more
A Consumers' Institute investigation has highlighted the inaccuracies of the nutritional labelling of some foods. read more
Sue Chetwin of the Consumers' Institute spoke to Paul Henry about the new banking code of practice, and the issues that this raises for consumers. read more
The new code of practice from the NZ Bankers' Association puts the onus back onto consumers to ensure they have the most up to date security on their computers. Sue Chetwin of the Consumers' Institute spoke to 3 News about this. read more
Hamish Wilson of the Consumers' Institute spoke to Simon Morton about car reversing aids, are they really all they are cracked up to be? read more
The Consumers' Institute today launched a free website that aims to take the mystery out of KiwiSaver. read more
Sue Chetwin of the Consumers' Institute spoke to Kay Gregory about the launch of a new free website www.consumersaver.org.nz. This website will show you which KiwiSaver scheme is right for you. read more
The Consumers' Institute has reached an impasse in its discussions with the NZ Bankers Association over the controversial new banking Code of Practice. Consumers Institute cited. read more
Despite using energy efficient lightbulbs, heat pumps and 'Energy Star' rated products kiwis are still facing high power bills. With more and more products entering our households, power bills are increasing. What can you do to stop this? Consumers' Institute cited. read more
When you cancel your credit card, does your ordeal end there? Unfortunately for Dornae Weir it didn't. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Free healthcare for children under six is proving harder, as more and more doctors are being forced to charge fees to see their younger patients. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
As a nation of pet owners, it can be hard to know what is the best pet food to buy. Belinda Allan from the Consumers' Institute spoke to Simon Morton to discuss this. read more
How do you keep your pet healthy and happy? Belinda Allan of the Consumers' Institute spoke to Campbell Live about this growing epidemic. read more
Hamish Wilson from the Consumers' Institute spoke to Simon Morton about Dishwashers. Which one should you be buying? read more
Sue Chetwin of the Consumers' Institute spoke to Breakfast this morning, about the fallout from Bridgecorp and what consumers can do if they are caught up in it. read more
Banks only have themselves to blame if the banking code of practice that they drafted turns customers away from internet banking, and forces them to invest more in call centres and bank branches. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Freezing winter temperatures are putting some people in fear of not being able to pay their power bill. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Consumers' Institute CEO Sue Chetwin has advised consumers to use the strong kiwi dollar to buy goods off-shore. read more
With only three submissions to the Spam Code of Practice, InternetNZ has extended the deadline by a week. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
A new website, designed to help Kiwis live in healthier, cosier and most cost-efficient homes was launched today by the Energy Minister David Parker. The website was created in conjunction with the Consumers' Institute, Ministry for the Environment, the Department of Building and Housing, and Beacon Pathway. Consumers Institute cited. read more
Psychotherapists in NZ will soon be regulated by a new established board. Consumers' Institute mentioned. read more
Paul Henry spoke to Sue Chetwin of the Consumers' Institute about dark beer. Of the 32 tested beers, what ones should you be drinking? read more
Sue Chetwin of the Consumers' Institute joined the electricity debate with Tony Baldwin an Industry Commentator, and Graeme Purches of Trustpower about the rising price of electricity. read more
Belinda Allan of the Consumers' Institute spoke to Simon Morton about winter beers. read more
The Consumers' Institute has called for an instant recall on cycle helmets that are faulty or do not meet safety standards. read more
Its that time of year again, the Consumers' Institute annual Appliance Reliability Survey time. We bring you the best and worst brands to buy. read more
TVNZ spoke to Sue Chetwin of the Consumers' Institute about the price of milk. read more
A south Auckland woman has died after a contractor cut the power supply to her home after unpaid bills. This has raised an ethical issue of whether companies should take into account the human factor in their decision-making processes. Consumers' Institute cited read more
Sue Chetwin spoke to Kay Gregory this morning about her new role at the Consumers' Institute and the challenges ahead. read more
InternetNZ is inviting public submissions on the code of practice, with the support of the Consumers' Institute, the Ministry of Economic Development, and the Commerce Commission. read more
All four Consumer writers that entered the Qantas Media Awards walked away winners. Special congratulations go to Belinda Allan, Catherine Hutton, Marc Wendelborn and Rachael Bowie. read more
Its time for the annual supermarket survey again. Pak' n Save tops the list again, but what are its competitors really like? Consumers' Institute cited. read more
GP's are facing criticism over high fees across the country. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
The Ministry of Health welcomes our results coming from our survey into GP's fees. read more
A new breed of property-sales companies entering the market is changing the traditional way kiwis are selling their homes. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
The Consumers' Institute is calling for tighter regulations on dietary supplements. read more
The high kiwi dollar is great news for consumers says Rachael Linkhorn of the Consumers Institute. read more
The Commerce Commission has started investigating the way credit card companies charge consumers for late bill payments. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Australian Consumer Group Choice has launched an interactive database to help parents chose healthier foods. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
The Consumers' Institute is backing legislation to crack down on identity theft. read more
Plunket is concerned about the safety of baby strollers sold in NZ. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Belinda Allan of the Consumers' Institute spoke to Simon Morton of This Way Up on 'How to buy a correct fitting bra'. read more
The new CEO of the Consumers' Institute Sue Chetwin spoke to TV3 about the high NZ dollar. read more
A North Shore kitchen company was placed into receivership, leaving about 100 customers out of pocket. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
A report by the Consumers' Institute says that a cup of tea and a lie down for cold sufferers may be better than taking costly medicines. read more
Shopping around for the right bank account can save you money; but experts warn, its not as easy as it sounds. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
New Zealand bank customers pay higher fees on personal accounts than those in the United Kingdom and Canada according to a new survey. read more
It is now becoming easier and easier for people to get into debt with banks practically throwing money at people. Consumers' Institute cited read more
Belinda Allan from the Consumers' Institute spoke to Campbell Live about the variety of calling options using the internet. read more
After many years of fighting battles for consumers, David Russell is leaving the Consumers' Institute after receiving official recognition with a Queen's Service Order. read more
New Zealand is ranked among the most expensive in 30 OECD countries for landlines and mobile phones. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Simon Morton spoke to Bill Whitley of the Consumers' Institute regarding Energy Efficient Lightbulbs, are they all they are cracked up to be? read more
15 March is World Consumer Rights Day. Consumers International and other international consumer groups are calling on governments to ban the prescription drug advertising. read more
Fair Go looked into a foreign cheque scam where a New Zealand man lost over $7000. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
The Real Estate Institute is taking one of its members to the industry's licensing board alleging misconduct. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Homeowners will now be able to make informed decisions about whether solar water heating is right for them with the launch of a new website www.solarsmarter.org.nz. The site has been produced jointly by the Consumers' Institute and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). read more
New Zealand authorities appear powerless to stop Australian sharemarket predator David Tween from targeting gullible Kiwi investors. Consumers' Institute cited. read more
Sue Chetwin is about to take on the role of the nations consumer watchdog - read more
The cost of building houses in parts of New Zealand is 85 per cent higher than
The ConsumerBuild website (www.consumerbuild.org.nz) was launched by the Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove and Consumers' Institute chief executive David Russell last week at an East Tamaki show home. read more
Nestle's Milo Cereal is one of several snacks available in New Zealand that a consumer magazine has "outed" for making children fat. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Internet users are upset at the poor state of broadband in New Zealand and impatient for changes resulting from the unbundling of Telecom's network to bring faster and cheaper broadband this year. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Air New Zealand will today announce big cuts to its domestic fares in an attempt to entice more people to travel by air....But they have come under pressure from the Consumers' Institute and the Flight Centre to cut fares further because of the falling oil price - read more
An extra $1 to $1.84 a month is not a great deal of money for most people. That's about the price of two packs of chewing gum, writes The Marlborough Express in an editorial. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Air New Zealand is reportedly planning to announce fare reductions in a move which
WOOLWORTHS has pitched itself as an "angel of mercy" set to rescue New Zealand
Air New Zealand is refusing to lower its airfares despite a fall in fuel prices - even after its main rival yesterday cut surcharges on transtasman and domestic flights. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
The Consumers' Institute is advising air travellers to ignore fuel surcharges and concentrate on the total cost of their flights - read more
Air New Zealand is refusing to lower its airfares despite a fall in fuel prices - even after its main rival yesterday cut surcharges on trans-tasman and domestic flights. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Telecom plans to increase its line rental prices for most home phone lines, in a move that has been condemned because technology is getting cheaper. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Consumer groups are taking a wait-and-see approach to a telco industry scheme to deal with customer complaints, ending a year-long consultation which brought heated criticism from some quarters.
While indebtedness might be something associated with low-income families, debt consolidation is actually more appropriate for higher income brackets, says Raewyn Fox, CEO of the New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
The Consumers Institute hopes it can stem the tide of text message scams as New Zealand mobile phone users begin to feel the sting that has been plaguing international counterparts for years - read more
Complaints about text message scams are on the rise, with young people the main target. Many involve television advertisements promoting contests in which users enter by text message. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
There are fresh warnings about text message competitions following a flood of complaints about a TV promotion. The Consumers Institute is warning about a contest advertised on TV offering easy prizes - read more
CREDIT card hijinx are no surprise to Alan Cooper. The Wanganui man said he had a similar experience to Ann and Charlie Berntsen in 1993.
Consumers' Institute warns shoppers to take care when buying goods on no-deposit, interest- free deals this holiday season. Many chain stores such as Harvey Norman and Noel Leeming - are again offering long-term credit deals - read more
Caveat emptor. That’s the message from David Russell, chief executive of Consumers’ Institute, after learning of the plight of Charlie and Ann Berntsen. The Berntsens were charged twice in error for a trip booked to England - read more
The New Years honours list has been announced, and includes two appointments to the country's highest honour, the Order of New Zealand. And long-time consumer advocate, David Russell, has been appointed a member of The Queen's Service Order. The outgoing head of the Consumers Institute says he is delighted his work has been recognised - read more
Air travellers are facing fare hikes for flights between Wellington and Christchurch following the decision by Qantas to suspend its services in March. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
People desperate for a telephone connection have been warned off using the services of 0800Reconx. The company charges its Kiwi customers 95 cents to make emergency 111 calls. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Consumers' Institute sees a new discount scheme which could save motorists up to 36 cents a litre at the fuel pump as simply clever marketing - read more
Interest free home loans sound too good to be true but a new finance scheme is promising just that. The idea copies the Islamic banking model, which is based banking is based on the Islamic law that interest is sinful and must be avoided. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Small businesses are threatening legal action over continuing problems with Xtra's email service and the Consumers' Institute says they may have a case - read more
A warning has been issued to traders and retailers displaying kiwi stickers on products not made here. It follows several complaints from Christmas shoppers buying what they thought were locally-made products only to find they were made in China when they got home. The Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Faster internet access could be on the way for thousands of kiwis. The
The Associate Justice Minister says the real estate industry needs independent consumer scrutiny. He says a plan put forward by the Real Estate Institute for an industry-run review committee yesterday is not good enough. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Watch video of Consumer's march on parliament for the victims of broadband - read more
Consumer's Institute Consumer takes Ministry of Health to task Consumer has hit back at Ministry of Health claims on the availability of elective surgery. In a recent article Consumer said some non-urgent operations were no longer treated by the public system - read more
A major court ruling will reassure the 100,000 people every year who sell houses through real estate agents, says New Zealand's largest agency. Consumers' Institute head David Russell cited - read more
New Zealand National Party Hon Tony Ryall You need to be sicker to get surgery. A Consumer Magazine expose has revealed the Labour Government is making it harder and harder for New Zealanders to have elective surgery - read more
People selling their homes could pay thousands more in commission in after nearly $1 million ruling against an Auckland real estate company. The warning comes from Consumers' Institute chief David Russell in the wake of a High Court ruling against Takapuna-based Premium Real Estate for the way it handled the sale of an Auckland house - read more
To executives around the country, she's the aggressive Commerce Commission chair who sends investigators to rifle through their rubbish-bins. To politicians, she's often a source of irritation, frequently standing in the way of policy plans or prompting cries of agony from the industries she is in charge of refereeing. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Consumer’s latest taste test of sparkling wines has no chance of being influenced by winemakers.“Every wine included in our latest tasting was anonymously bought from retailers, as are all our test goods”, says Belinda Allan of Consumers’ Institute.
A huge variation in prices among Western Bay dentists has prompted a warning from Consumers' Institute for patients to shop around - read more
The service Xtra broadband has offered since it was unleashed is nothing short of appalling. Consumers institute has some issues with Xtra's traffic management. I agree completely - read more
The Consumers' Institute has lodged complaints with The Advertising Standards Authority and the Commerce Comission against Xtra over advertising for its broadband internet plan which offers unlimited usage at maximum download speeds - read more
Retired homeowners are being warned off "reverse mortgages". Consumers' Institute cited - read more
The Consumers' Institute has lodged complaints with the Commerce Commission and the Advertising Standards Authority over Xtra's Go Large broadband advertising - read more
Xtra's Go Large broadband advertising campaign, touting unlimited net use, is under fire from the Consumers' Institute - read more
The Consumers Institute has lodged complaints against Telecom Xtra over advertising for its "Go Large" broadband Internet plan, which is touted as 'unlimited usage at maximum download speeds - read more
The Commerce Commission's decision to investigate Xtra's Go Large broadband promotion has Telecom reviewing the wording of its promotion. A complaint was lodged by the Consumers' Institute over advertising promising unlimited Internet use at maximum download speeds - read more
The Consumers' Institute says Xtra's Go Large plan advertising is misleading - read more
Air New Zealand and Qantas have withdrawn their application for a trans-Tasman code-share agreement, ending a four-year battle for the airlines to come together. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
A Consumer survey of more than 8,000 power company customers has shown that public confidence in power companies is still low, with customers rating them below Telecom and banks in terms of performance - read more
Disgruntled ihug customers are are still having problems with their email service despite assurances from the internet provider that "things are back to normal" Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Weather forecasters have warned that this summer could be the hottest in almost a decade, raising the danger of bush fires and skin damage. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Profile of the Powerswitch website www.powerswitch.co.nz which helps save money on household power bills. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
It had to happen. Consumer has ventured into the realm of romance. They have sent forth four intrepid white-coated testers to try out internet dating, speed dating and a matchmaking agency.
Australia's Competition and Consumer Commission has knocked back the proposed code share agreement between Qantas and Air New Zealand, saying it considers it would be to the significant detriment of consumers. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Four intrepid singles tested out internet dating, the introduction agency and speed-dating for Consumer magazine - read more
Ten thousand New Zealand Internet users have spoken, and a third of them say they are unhappy with their Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Internet Service Provider Xtra says it is already making improvements to its broadband services following poor customer feedback. Consumers' Institute survey - read more
Consumers' Institute press release: An annual Consumer survey of over 10,000 internet users has revealed declining satisfaction with ISPs. Only 66% of respondents to the 2006 survey were satisfied or very satisfied with their ISP, compared to 82% last year. This average is dragged down by the ratings for Xtra, whose customers made up 51% of the responses received - read more
Ten thousand New Zealand Internet users have spoken, and a third of them say they are unhappy with their Internet Service Providers (ISPs). In an annual Consumers' Institute survey, 66 per cent of the people surveyed said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their ISP, down from 82 per cent last year - read more
Consumer magazine's annual survey on internet providers shows customer satisfaction has dropped 16% since the previous year, to 66% - read more
Internet companies are being told they are over-promising and under-delivering. The results of an annual survey of more than 10,000 consumers are being described as shocking by the Consumers Institute - read more
Internet Service Provider Xtra says it is already making improvements to its broadband services following poor customer feedback.The Consumers' Institute survey of more than 10,000 internet users found that ISPs made big promises but failed to deliver. Broadband speed and pricing were the main concerns - read more
Dominion Post food critic David Burton did not get a chance to rate the fare for his latest restaurant review. The chef and author, who also writes for Cuisine and overseas magazines, was refused service and quickly shown the door when he stepped into Soprano Italian Caffe in Petone. Consumers' Institute - read more
A Christchurch man plundered thousands of dollars after the National Bank gave him another client's account details over the phone. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
From next month, one-off credit card payments to the Telecom will incur the charge, labelled a “convenience fee”. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Trade Me and the Consumers' Institute will team up to create a code of practice for auction websites - read more
Telecom customers who pay their bills by credit card will face a new surcharge. Telecom says it's a bid to steer consumers to 'more efficient payment options'. The Consumers Institute cited - read more
Baby Buggies: Consumers' Institute puts those flashy three-wheeler buggies to the test - read more
A bid to introduce a chemical into bread-making flour to protect against neural tube birth defects has stalled due to calls for a review from government and consumer organisations - read more
Recent disciplinary cases involving real estate agents have failed to impress Building Issues Minister Clayton Cosgrove who has told the organisation he is not happy with current arrangements. ...Mr Cosgrove says he has also met with the Consumers Institute as he wants some feedback from them as well - read more
Buildings Issues Minister Clayton Cosgrove has called for the Real Estate Institute to consider establishing a new position - similar to the Banking Ombudsman - to hear complaints and take the relevant action when agents break the law. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Timber giant Carter Holt Harvey has admitted deliberately selling sub-standard housing timber, because coming clean would have been "financial suicide". Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Out of 7 New Zealand-owned banks TSB and PSIS have topped the latest Consumers' Institute survey of customer satisfaction - read more
Press Release: Consumer's Institute Kiwi-owned TSB and PSIS lead in customer satisfaction ratings in a new Consumer member survey. Both scored a near-perfect 98% approval rating from their customers. Respondents cited “speaking to a real person” and “friendly prompt service” as the main reasons for satisfaction - read more
The Consumers' Institute says two New Zealand-owned banking groups are again top in its annual survey of customer satisfaction - read more
A survey of Consumer magazine subscribers has found locally owned banks rated the most highly by customers - read more
Wellington City Council’s website has won the best New Zealand plain English website award in the inaugural Writemark Plain English awards in Wellington on Friday night. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Painfully slow broadband connections are infuriating home computer users who want the Commerce Commission to take action. Broadband, the more expensive and supposedly faster cousin of dial-up internet, is frustrating some customers, who say they are not getting the speeds that companies promise. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
In days gone by kiwis rented while saving the deposit for their own home, but today renting is carving an increasingly significant swathe through weekly pay packets. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Shop around for dental treatment – that is the warning from a consumer watchdog after a Press investigation showing basic consultations can vary in price by up to $200. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
When Darren and Tanya Miller decided to put their five-bedroom home in West Auckland on the market recently they were shocked to discover that it could cost nearly $30,000 to use an estate agent. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Kiwibank is picking up 2000 new accounts a week as the major banks scramble to lure back customers. Westpac is the latest bank to launch a fee-free account, and says it's done so to win back the 100,000 customers it has lost to Government- owned Kiwibank since it was set up five years ago. The Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Thousands of motorists are wrongly failing driver's licence vision tests and incurring hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in needless visits to optometrists.
Airlines are facing growing pressure to drop their fuel surcharges as oil prices continue to drop. Petrol prices have fallen for the seventh time in as many weeks, with 91 octane down three cents to just under $1.44 a litre. The Consumers Institute cited - read more
Consumers' Institute chief executive David Russell says the latest price rises again show how consumers have been let down by the highly touted electricity market reforms of 15 or so years ago - read more
The Consumers' Institute says the latest electricity and gas price rises underline the failure of attempted market reforms - read more
Contact Energy is ramping up gas prices by eight percent from next month and increasing electricity tariffs for some customers in Auckland and Wellington. David Russell of the Consumers' Institute says people should simply voice their disgust with their feet - read more
The Herald asked readers for their nominations for the three places in New Zealand's most exclusive club. David Russell, shortly to retire from his position as chief executive of the Consumers'
David Rusell's moving on
The Smokefree Coalition is delighted that the Commerce Commission is poised to begin investigating cigarette manufacturers in New Zealand. The Coalition lodged a complaint against British American Tobacco (BATNZ) under the Fair Trading Act 1986, alleging that the company made deliberately misleading statements about second-hand smoke, and light and mild cigarettes. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Telecom customers are being told to cancel any phone rental deal they may have with the company, because it is not worth it. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
A Wellington sex store owner is defending his "name and shame" tactics after posting a photo of a man, suspected of shoplifting a penis pump. Consumers' Institute cited - read more
Auckland house-hunter Angela Hart is wary of building inspection reports after receiving an appraisal which missed problems with a house she was considering buying. Consumers' Institute study cited - read more
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