About us
Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation established in 1959 with the sole aim of getting New Zealand consumers a fairer deal.
What we do
Our work covers a wide range of activities relating to consumer protection and information.
This includes: comparative tests and surveys of consumer goods and services; research into and advice on financial, food, health, safety, welfare and environmental matters; representation at parliamentary committees and public enquiries; an interest in consumer education and complaints advisory work.
Testing
We commission independent laboratories to carry out our product tests. Our membership of Consumers International means we benefit from an exchange of information with consumer organisations around the world.
When we say "independent" we mean it
We never accept free goods for testing, nor do we accept donations or sponsorship. Our magazines are completely independent and have no ties with any commercial firm or organisation.
How we're financed
Our money comes from the sale of our publications and memberships to Consumer magazine and consumer.org.nz. We do not accept advertising in anything we publish to protect the strict impartiality of our reporting.
Membership
When you join Consumer magazine or consumer.org.nz you become a member of Consumer NZ (unless you request otherwise) and have the right to nominate and vote for Board members. You can download a copy of our Rules of Incorporation (Word document, 118KB).
Endorsement programme
The Consumer Recommends endorsement programme allows manufacturers, distributors and service providers to use the Consumer Recommends brandmark in advertising and promotional activities for those products and services which have been awarded Consumer Recommends status, subject to meeting licence conditions.
Consumer Recommends status is awarded to products and services which have satisfied specific criteria based on the results of rigorous comparative tests and analysis. Find out more with our endorsement programme FAQs.
The Board
Consumer NZ is governed by an elected board of seven members who hold office for three years. The current chair is Mark Bedford. The deputy chair is Jo Bransgrove. Find out more about our Board.
Consumer magazine
Consumer magazine has been New Zealand's trusted source of consumer advice and information for over 40 years. Published monthly 11 times a year with test reports in every issue, it gives you all the facts you need to get the best value for money - whether in the supermarket or the car yard, choosing insurance or investing for your future security.
Find out what's in the latest issue of Consumer magazine.
Consumer magazine is available by membership and on the newsstand at all key supermarkets, bookstores and newsagents. Find out more about becoming a member of Consumer magazine.
Submissions
As part of our work on behalf of all NZ consumers, we regularly make submissions to Government and statutory authorities on a wide range of issues affecting consumers.
To find out more and access copies of our recent submissions, see our submissions page.
