2009 - National Consumer Survey

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs commissioned Colmar Brunton to carry out research on New Zealand consumer awareness, experience and perceptions through a national face-to-face survey.

The Ministry aims to create an environment that promotes good and accurate information flows between suppliers and consumers so that consumers can transact with confidence.

Gaining information and understanding of people’s perceptions, experience and awareness of consumer matters and legislation is an important aspect of creating this environment.

2009 - National Consumer Survey - PDF format (1407 KB)

Pacific Consumers' Behaviour and Experience in Credit Markets, with Particular Reference to the "Fringe Lending" Market: Government Response Strategy (August 2007)

In 2006-2007, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs commissioned Auckland University's Centre for Pacific Studies to conduct qualitative research into Pacific consumers' behaviour and experience in the fringe lender market (see below), as a part of the monitoring and evaluation of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003. The Government Response Strategy details the context in which the research was undertaken, summarises the main research findings and outlines the government’s initial response to the research. The Government Response Strategy also outlines implications for the monitoring of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003. The Government Response Strategy can be downloaded at the link below:

Response Report | Research Findings Report and Government's Response Strategy

Pacific Consumers' Behaviour and Experience in Credit Markets, with Particular Reference to the "Fringe Lending" Market: Research Findings (July 2007)

In 2006-2007, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs commissioned Auckland University's Centre for Pacific Studies to conduct qualitative research into Pacific consumers' behaviour and experience in the fringe lender market. The research involved in-depth interviews with key people from community organisations based in South Auckland and (focus group) interviews with Pacific consumers. The research was conducted in the context of the Ministry's monitoring and evaluation of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003.

Pacific Consumers' Behaviour and Experience in Credit Markets, with Particular Reference to the "Fringe Lending" Market

Please note that the above report was previously incorrectly dated March 2007.

Fringe Lenders in New Zealand: Desk Research Project (July 2006)

This desk research project was completed on behalf of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs by Research New Zealand. It was conducted as part of the Ministry's monitoring and evaluation of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 with the objective to gain a better understanding of the size and nature of the fringe lending market in New Zealand.
Fringe Lenders in New Zealand: Desk Research Project

ANZ-Retirement Commission Financial Knowledge Survey

A Colmar Brunton survey tested New Zealanders' financial knowledge on a wide range of matters from saving, borrowing and managing debt through to sophisticated investment products. It also tested attitudes and behaviour in some areas such as managing personal financial affairs and investing in securities markets.
ANZ-Retirement Commission Financial Knowledge Survey

2005 National Consumer Survey

During 2004 and 2005, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs commissioned baseline research to gather data on consumer awareness, experience and behaviour in the context of consumer protection law.

Two reports have now been produced:

• The first report concerns the findings of focus group research undertaken by ACNielsen in 2004 in preparation for the survey research.
• The second reports the findings of a survey of 1,000 New Zealanders undertaken by the National Research Bureau in 2005.

2005 National Consumer Survey

Identifying Consumers "At Risk": Benchmark Survey of Consumer Credit Behaviour and Knowledge

This survey research was undertaken in the context of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 to assist the Ministry developing an information programme for when the Act took effect on 1 April 2005. The survey was released in March 2005.
Identifying Consumers "At Risk": Benchmark Survey of Consumer Credit Behaviour and Knowledge