Utua atu: pay it forward

Consumer NZ is dedicated to getting a fairer deal for all consumers. We’re an independent not-for-profit organisation and rely on subscriptions to fund the work we do. We’re grateful for our members’ support, and we’re passionate about helping more people.

Our members have access to all our tools, reviews, guidance and advisory services. They’re a wonderful loyal community, but we also want to reach people who need us but aren’t able to pay for a membership.

After all, our kaupapa is “a fairer deal for all New Zealanders”.

What is Utua atu?

Utua atu, meaning “pay it forward”, lets people and businesses donate Consumer NZ memberships to consumers who couldn’t otherwise access our services. The initiative helps New Zealanders become informed consumers. That means growing their knowledge and confidence about their rights, helping them choose the best purchases for their budgets, and standing with them if companies treat them badly.

A donated membership provides a full year access to our Consumer Advice Line, and online and print resources (including Consumer magazine). It will help inform and educate recipients about the consumer issues they need help with.

Through Utua atu, we’ll be helping consumers with different needs and capability than some of our existing members. To support this, a portion of each donated membership will be used to expand advisory services dedicated to Utua atu recipients.

Community organisations

Utua atu is about delivering support where it’s most needed. Community organisations have an intimate understanding of their clients’ needs, so they’re best placed to identify those who a Consumer NZ membership could really help – not every client using a community organisation would benefit from a donated membership.

It’s up to the discretion and expertise of our community organisation partners to recommend those who could use our expertise and guidance.

Importantly, Utua atu isn’t about replicating or replacing the work our partner agencies do. It’s about adding value to their work and helping build capable, resilient and knowledgeable consumers.

We’ve partnering with the following community organisations to identify people who would most benefit from a Consumer NZ membership:

Habitat for Humanity
FinCap
Renters United
Good Shepherd
Welsley Community Action
Wellington City Mission
Ecobulb

Our donors

We have launched the initiative with support from a select group of corporate donors.

Our independence as a consumer advocacy body is central to everything we do. All donors are fully aware their donations are dedicated to individuals in need. They have no bearing on Consumer NZ’s advocacy, testing or investigative work or any other aspect of our operations.