Commerce and Consumer Affairs

The Government is putting in place rules that will make it easier for consumers to compare the price of grocery products at the supermarket.

The Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill and Water Services Legislation Bill have been introduced to Parliament today, following the passage of the Water Services Entities Act.

The Government will take action to increase competition in the residential building supplies sector following the release of the Commerce Commission’s market study final report.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Dr David Clark has today announced the appointment of Dr John Small as the new Chair of the Commerce Commission.

The Bill to trigger an unprecedented shake-up of the grocery sector and deliver New Zealanders a fairer deal at the checkout and help tackle cost of living pressures is ready for its first reading at Parliament.

The Government has announced moves to increase bank competition and deliver a better deal for New Zealanders with the introduction of open banking.

Better checks to stop vulnerable consumers landing themselves in Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) debt traps are on the way, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Dr David Clark announced today.

An unprecedented shake-up of the grocery sector will see the supermarket duopoly forced to sell groceries to their competitors at set prices and terms if they fail to adequately wholesale market voluntarily.

New Zealanders are not getting a fair deal on some key residential building supplies and while the Government has already driven improvements in the sector, a Commerce Commission review finds that changes are needed to make it more competitive.

The Government is clarifying the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance (CCCFA) Regulations, to ensure borrow-ready kiwis aren’t being unfairly penalised when applying for a loan.

Four appointments have been made to the Consumer Advocacy Council, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs announced today.

In its next step to get a better deal for shoppers, the Government will establish a Grocery Commissioner to hold the sector to account and ramp up competition.

The Government has tightened up protections for New Zealanders across the banking and insurance sectors to ensure they get a fair deal.

Legislation that bans major supermarkets from blocking their competitors’ access to land to set up new stores paves the way for greater competition in the sector.

New powers will be given to the Commerce Commission allowing it to require supermarkets to hand over information regarding contracts, arrangements and land covenants which make it difficult for competing retailers to set up shop.

“Food price data shows New Zealanders pay too much for the basics and today’s figures provide more evidence of why we need to change the supermarket industry, and fast," Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark says.

The Government has put supermarkets on notice, and the message is clear: change at pace to increase competition and be prepared for regulation.

Urgent Budget night legislation to stop major supermarkets blocking competitors from accessing land for new stores has been introduced today.

A Bill to help lower the fees charged when credit and debit transactions are made, will save New Zealand businesses around $74 million a year.

Latest annual food price figures released today confirm the need to rein in the super profits of the supermarket duopoly, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark said.

The rules which govern New Zealand’s incorporated societies will be refreshed for the first time in 114 years.

A law to better protect competition has passed its third and final reading, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister, David Clark announced today.

A Bill to crackdown on global and domestic criminals who use businesses to hide money laundering, tax evasion and the financing of terrorism will be introduced this year.

The Government is making practical amendments to responsible lending rules to curb any unintended consequences being caused by the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA).