11may-lending-hero

Our mystery shop of “fringe” lenders revealed some disturbing practices.

Our two mystery shoppers – one was a Wellington-born-and-bred Pacific Islander – went undercover in Porirua as beneficiaries looking for a loan. They found lenders reluctant to give them information to take away, extremely high interest rates and fees, and advertising aimed at some of our most vulnerable citizens.

Highlights of this report


What we found


3 issues became apparent from our mystery shoppers' experience. Read more

Payday lending


Payday loans are (in theory) intended for short-term loans. Read more

What can we do?


Other countries take one of two approaches to protecting consumers. Read more

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