Coronavirus (Covid-19)

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Fast-track needed for flight refund rules

Air NZ will only give refunds for cancelled flights if required to by law.

Grounded Air NZ passengers should get refunds

We’re calling on Air NZ to do the right thing.

Coronavirus: Your travel questions answered

We answer common questions about travel plans disrupted by Covid-19.

3 laundry tips to prevent germs spreading

Physical agitation, detergent and heat can help keep your household laundry germ free.

Consumer rights and advice

Fast-track needed for flight refund rules

Alert level 2: Shopping and socialising rules explained

Shopping during the lockdown: Your questions answered

Coronavirus: 5 things not to do

Woman in cafe shopping online with laptop.

Alert level 3: What’s open and what’s closed

Travel and events

Fast-track needed for flight refund rules

Air NZ sitting on millions of dollars from cancelled flights

Grounded Air NZ passengers should get refunds

Consumer NZ calls out Air New Zealand over refund practices

Travellers in airport wearing face masks.

Coronavirus: Your travel questions answered

Air New Zealand and Virgin airplanes on tarmac.

Covid-19 flight cancellations: Why you should have the right to a refund

Coronavirus: Refunds for cancelled events

Flight Centre backs down on $350 cancellation fee

Money and finance

Supermarket shopper checks items off her grocery list.

How to save on everyday expenses

20may kiwisaver hardship applications hero

KiwiSaver and Covid-19 hardship applications

Mortgage holidays: What you need to know

Power bills during Covid-19: Your questions answered

Power companies and telcos: What they’re doing during the lockdown

Cars parked on the street outside homes during Covid-19 lockdown.

Car insurance: Why the lockdown means you should get a discount

Power saving tips while on lockdown

Customer and cashier making a payment in a pharmacy.

Price-gouging: Cashing in on coronavirus

Father holding crying toddler in cold home.

Power costs a big worry for one in three Kiwis, Consumer NZ finds

Support needed for consumers in financial hardship

The Covid-19 lockdown means hundreds of thousands of Kiwis face having to survive on a reduced income. We’ve joined with 14 other organisations in calling on essential service providers to do the right thing and halt disconnections, waive late fees and pause debt collection.

Learn more

Feeling stressed?

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious or just need someone to talk to, contact your family doctor. You can also free call or text 1737, need to talk?, 24/7, seven days a week to talk with a trained counsellor. For more on where to find help, check out our guide to finding a therapist.

Your membership during lockdown

While the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown is in place, the Consumer NZ team will all be working from home to bring you our latest reports and test results. Here's what you need to know about your membership during the lockdown.

Health and cleaning

Essential oil sellers' Covid-19 claims don’t wash

Man and woman wearing face masks in crowd of people.

Do face masks protect against coronavirus?

Smiling woman putting clothes in washing machine.

3 laundry tips to prevent germs spreading

Product test

Baby thermometers

Cleaning smartphone with microfibre cloth.

How to clean your phone

Downsides to DIY hand sanitiser

Eating at home

Woman using a food delivery app from a couch.

Food delivery services compared

Slow cookers and multi-cookers

Batch cooking tips and getting the most out of your freezer

How to make your food last longer

Your support goes a long way

When big things like the Covid-19 pandemic happen, we all have a role to play in helping each other get through. Our role is to provide independent, expert advice and fearlessly advocate on behalf of all consumers during this uncertain time. Can you help with a regular or one-off donation?

Donate to Consumer