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Consumer NZ is non-profit. We’re not government funded and so much of what we do is funded by our members, for our members.
But our mission is to help all New Zealanders get a fair deal.
The Consumer Foundation, a registered charity, is one of the ways we can achieve that.
To fund research projects and education programmes that ensure the welfare of consumers and raise public awareness of consumer issues
To promote change by presenting cases and evidence to organisations and agencies on issues that matter to consumers
To represent consumers by funding our participation on committees and councils that have an interest in consumer affairs.
To help us get a fair deal for all New Zealanders, you can support our work by making a donation or a bequest. We’ll use your contribution to:
Personal and corporate donations are welcome. No donation money is spent on administration. Donations of $5 or more are tax deductible.
To make an ongoing donation or bequest, please contact:
Suzanne Chetwin (sue@consumer.org.nz)
Secretary and Treasurer, Consumer Foundation
Private Bag 6996
Marion Square
Wellington 6141
Or you can let us decide, confident that 100% of your contribution will be used to achieve our aims. Consumer Foundation funds are never spent on administration.
Below are some examples of how your donation or bequests could be used to support each of our charitable aims:
We keep a comprehensive, independent, up-to-date product recall register. Not only does this provide a list of recalled products, but it also gives the public clear information on the problem with each recalled product and who to turn to for repairs, modifications or replacements.
Sneaky fees
Our latest survey found more than two-thirds of consumers have been stung by sneaky "booking" or "service" fees. We’re calling for all-inclusive pricing rules to make companies disclose the full purchase price upfront.
Choosing Wisely
Modern medicine has given us more ways than ever to diagnose and treat illnesses. But there’s mounting evidence that more tests and procedures doesn’t always mean better care. Choosing Wisley aims to help consumers make more informed healthcare choices.
Drop the dates
Our survey found 1 in 5 gift card recipients had been left empty-handed after the card expired before they could redeem its full value. That’s why we’re calling on retailers to put an end to unfair expiry dates.
Do Not Knock
Our Do Not Knock campaign targets door-to-door traders. We’ve distributed Do Not Knock stickers to more than 400,000 New Zealand households.
Learn more about our campaigns
Retail payment systems in NZ
We submitted evidence to MBIE that showed consumers were being adversely affected by high interchange fees (the fee paid by a merchant when a customer makes a credit or debit card payment) in support of greater regulation to protect consumers.
Electricity line charges
New pricing options for Electricity Distributors are supposed to help consumers. But we’re concerned that some consumers may be unable to take advantage of the new pricing structures, especially those on low or fixed incomes. We raised our concerns in a submission we made on the New Pricing Options for Electricity Distributors discussion paper.
Microbeads
We submitted in support of a ban on microbeads by the Ministry for the Environment. However, we recommended the ban be extended to include all personal and domestic products.
Emily was one of the New Zealand consumer movement’s most dedicated and longest-serving participants.
Other Foundation board members includes former Consumer NZ chief executive David Russell, current chief executive Sue Chetwin, and Consumer NZ board members Sue Kedgley and Oscar Alpers.
This information is available to Consumer members only.
As a member you'll get access to: