December 2002
Real estate practices scrutinised: High Court rules on fair trading breaches
20 December 2002
In a High Court case taken by the Commerce Commission, Grenadier Real Estate Limited has admitted breaching the Fair Trading Act with respect to misleading advertising of a Lyttleton property for auction in November 2000.Relates to: Fair Trading
HSBC to refund customers for undisclosed transaction fees
18 December 2002
In a settlement with the Commerce Commission, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) has admitted breaching the Fair Trading Act and agreed to refund customers for undisclosed transaction fees overcharged since 1996.Relates to: Fair Trading
Cars sold as "new" but manufactured two years earlier: Daewoo fined $35,000
17 December 2002
In a significant case for the motor vehicle industry, Daewoo AutomotiveRelates to: Fair Trading
Warning to wine industry - Commission takes fair trading breaches seriously
6 December 2002
Brendon Thomas Meo, owner and director of Solstar Limited, has admitted breaching the Fair Trading Act in relation to misleading representations as to the place of origin of his wine.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission to prosecute Qantas and Air New Zealand: advertising of airfares misleading
1 December 2002
The Commerce Commission is to prosecute Qantas Airways Limited and Air New Zealand Limited for misleading advertising of airfares, Director of Fair Trading Deborah Battell told the Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) at its 40th Anniversary Conference in Taupo yesterday.Relates to: Fair Trading
November 2002
Commerce Commission warns public about Celluslim weight loss capsules
26 November 2002
The Commerce Commission has concerns about the promotion of a weight loss and cellulite removal product, Celluslim, and warns consumers to think twice before buying.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission sends warning to clothing retailer: Hugh Wrights "Receivership" Sale misleading
25 November 2002
The Commerce Commission has sent a warning to clothing retailer HW Munns Limited following advertising of a Hugh Wrights Receivership Sale.Relates to: Fair Trading
Second airline prosecution for misleading advertising - Polynesian Airlines fined $7,500
20 November 2002
In the second airline industry prosecution by the Commerce Commission in less than a fortnight, Polynesian Limited, trading as Polynesian Airlines, was fined $7,500 plus costs in the Auckland District Court today for misleading advertising.Relates to: Fair Trading
The Mill Liquorsave fined $5,000 for "No one undersells us" claim
15 November 2002
The Mill Liquorsave fined $5,000 forRelates to: Fair Trading
Freedom Air not freely disclosing full cost of airfares - fined $10,000
12 November 2002
South Pacific Charters Limited, trading as Freedom Air International, was fined $10,000 including costs in the Auckland District Court last Friday, having pleaded guilty to eight breaches of the Fair Trading Act in advertising the cost of airfares.Relates to: Fair Trading
Mercury Energy fined $14,000 for misleading advertising
6 November 2002
Poor processes and not learning from its mistakes cost Mighty River Power, trading as Mercury Energy, $14,000 in the Auckland District Court yesterday. The company pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching the Fair Trading Act.Relates to: Fair Trading
October 2002
Masterton Poultry Farm fined $10,000 for breaching Fair Trading Act - eggs not free-range
31 October 2002
Willem Klaas Stolte, owner/operator of Masterton Poultry Farm, was fined $10,000 in the Masterton District Court yesterday after pleading guilty to breaching the Fair Trading Act in relation to the sale of free-range eggs sold under the Hen House brand.Relates to: Fair Trading
Customers refunded for 'not so free' games
18 October 2002
Electronic Arts New Zealand Limited has admitted breaching the Fair Trading Act, and has agreed, in a settlement with the Commerce Commission, to reimburse and apologise to nearly 9,000 customers for not disclosing postage and handling costs during a 'buy one get one free' promotion.Relates to: Fair Trading
Consumer warning about bicycle safety
14 October 2002
Consumer warning about bicycle safetyRelates to: Fair Trading
Are you being charged the right price?
8 October 2002
Two investigations into Masterton supermarket Write Price have prompted the Commerce Commission to alert consumers to the fact they need to be vigilant at the supermarket checkout and to warn supermarkets to make sure their till pricing accurately reflects in-store specials.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission sends warning to real estate industry - advertised prices must reflect vendors' expectations
6 October 2002
Two key judgements against Palmerston North real estate agency Century 21 Morris Realty and its agent Bette Ireland have reinforced the Commerce Commission's view that real estate agents must accurately reflect a vendor's price expectations when advertising property.Relates to: Fair Trading
Clear faces further court action for misleading advertising
4 October 2002
For the second time in less than a year, Clear Communications Limited today pleaded guilty in the North Shore District Court to breaching the Fair Trading Act. Judge Henwood fined Clear $6000 and warned the company that any further offending of this nature would attract a much higher fine.Relates to: Fair Trading
Traders taking heed of new safety standard for baby walkers - but still room for improvement
3 October 2002
A nationwide campaign by the Commerce Commission to increase awareness of the new safety standard for baby walkers has confirmed that traders and childcare providers are already taking heed of the regulations, but that there is still room for improvement.Relates to: Fair Trading
The Deanery comes under Commerce Commission scrutiny
3 October 2002
The Deanery comes under Commerce Commission scrutinyRelates to: Fair Trading
September 2002
ANZ Bank fined $7,500 for misleading MasterCard offer: campaign write-off costs $2.3million
19 September 2002
ANZ Bank was fined $7,500 plus $1,130 costs in the Wellington District Court yesterday for breaching the Fair Trading Act in relation to a promotion offering nearly 10,000 of its existing customers an ANZ MasterCard with a pre-approved $5000 limit. In addition, Judge Tuohy acknowledged the bank had to write off $2.3million as a result of the campaign as a whole and had suffered the publicity attached to a prosecution.Relates to: Fair Trading
All bets are off! International co-operation results in successful court action against ex-New Zealander
10 September 2002
International co-operation between the Commerce Commission and its Australian counterpart, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has resulted in the successful court action against an ex-New Zealander for breaching the Australian Trade Practices Act 1974. Following admissions by Gold Coast businessman, Robert James Price, the Federal Court in Brisbane has found that he misled consumers and, in one instance, acted unconscionably in connection with the marketing and sale of horse betting software in Australia and New Zealand.Relates to: Fair Trading
Juice industry being squeezed -second prosecution in less than a month
2 September 2002
In the second juice industry prosecution by the Commerce Commission inRelates to: Fair Trading
August 2002
Plumbing World fined $10,000 for misleading advertising
22 August 2002
Plumbing World was fined $10,000 in the Palmerston North District Court today for breaching the Fair Trading Act in relation to a letterbox flyer circulated nationwide in September last year.Relates to: Fair Trading
Rio Beverages fined $22,600 for misleading juice claims
14 August 2002
Rio Beverages Limited was fined $22,600 plus court costs in the Auckland District Court today for five breaches of the Fair Trading Act relating to false and misleading claims about its Thexton's Quality Beverages range of products.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commerce Commission granted court injunction against Infinity Concierge
1 August 2002
Following a warning to the public last month, the Commerce Commission has successfully sought an interim injunction against what it considers may be a pyramid scheme run by New Zealand registered company, Infinity Concierge NZ Limited. The interim injunction prevents Infinity Concierge from operating or promoting the scheme. The injunction also effectively freezes any money in its bank account and prevents it from cashing any un-presented or unprocessed payments of membership fees.Relates to: Fair Trading
July 2002
Auckland business fined $5,000 for Asian-made KIWI MADE product
29 July 2002
Auckland business Elldex Packaging Limited was fined $5,000 plus costs in the Auckland District Court on Friday for breaching the Fair Trading Act in relation to misleading representations about the place of origin of its all-purpose cling film wrap product.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commerce Commission issues warning about suspected pyramid scheme: Infinity Concierge NZ Limited
19 July 2002
The Commerce Commission warns members of the public to be very careful before joining what it considers is likely to be a pyramid scheme run by New Zealand registered company, Infinity Concierge NZ Limited.Relates to: Fair Trading
"Simply New Zealand" quite simply not
17 July 2002
Souvenir and tourist retailer, Simply New Zealand, was fined $3,000 in the Auckland District Court today for breaching the Fair Trading Act regarding country of origin claims on souvenir t-shirts sold in its Wellington Airport and central Christchurch shops.Relates to: Fair Trading
Publisher fined $20,000 for 55 breaches of Fair Trading Act
11 July 2002
Anthony John Hendon was fined $20,000 in the North Shore District Court today after pleading guilty to 55 breaches of the Fair Trading Act relating to his businesses, Peach Holdings Limited, Hilltop Printing Limited and Mainland Media Group Limited.Relates to: Fair Trading
Net Guard shuts up shop following Commission investigation
5 July 2002
Auckland based Net Guard (New Zealand) Limited has closed down following a Commerce Commission investigation. The Commission had received complaints that Net Guard was operating a sophisticated pyramid scheme in breach of section 24 of the Fair Trading Act.Relates to: Fair Trading
June 2002
Auckland trader fined $5,000 for envelope stuffing scam
12 June 2002
Auckland trader Gregson Cretchein Mathews was fined $5,000 in the Auckland District Court today for breaching the Fair Trading Act in relation to a "work from home" scam. In addition, Mathews was fined $500 solicitor's fees and $130 court costs.Relates to: Fair Trading
Misleading representations cost Star Corporation over $50,000
7 June 2002
Star Corporation Limited was fined $48,000 plus court costs of $3,120 in the Waitakere District Court this week for misleading conduct regarding false statements about two mobile telephone directories. Star Corporation pleaded guilty to 24 breaches of the Fair Trading Act.Relates to: Fair Trading
May 2002
Holiday Marketing fined $17,500 for breaching Fair Trading Act
31 May 2002
Holiday Marketing International (NZ) Limited (HMI) was fined $17,500 plus court costs in the Auckland District Court today for misleading the public as to the nature of timeshare presentations it was promoting. HMI pleaded guilty to breaching section 11 of the Fair Trading Act.Relates to: Fair Trading
Christchurch fish & chip shop in hot oil
17 May 2002
A Christchurch fish & chip shop has come under Commerce Commission scrutiny for falsely claiming its food is cooked in cholesterol-free oil. Huntsbury Seafoods has admitted breaching section 10 of the Fair Trading Act in a signed settlement with the Commission.Relates to: Fair Trading
Internet Naming Group: Commission urges the public to have no dealings with this company
7 May 2002
The Commerce Commission strongly urges the public to have no dealings with internet domain name reseller, Internet Name Protection Pty Limited, trading as Internet Naming Group (ING).Relates to: Fair Trading
April 2002
Meridian Energy fined $12,000 for Fair Trading Act breaches
22 April 2002
Meridian Energy was fined $12,000 plus costs in the Invercargill District Court today. It admitted six breaches of the Fair Trading Act in relation to an offer to Comalco employees in December 1999.Relates to: Fair Trading
Scam trader convicted of 33 breaches of Fair Trading Act
12 April 2002
Notorious trader Michael Knight was fined $3,000 plus $130 court costs in the Auckland District Court today. He was convicted of a total of 33 breaches of the Fair Trading Act relating to the businesses Budget Imports and Francais Imports Limited.Relates to: Fair Trading
March 2002
Warning to souvenir traders : All Star Trading ordered to pay $5,200 plus costs for "place of origin" breaches
27 March 2002
Christchurch souvenir retailer, All Star Trading Limited, was fined a total of $5,200 in the Christchurch District Court on Monday. It admitted a total of eight breaches of the Fair Trading Act and non-compliance with the Consumer Information Standards regarding country of origin claims on t-shirts sold in its two central city stores in Christchurch.Relates to: Fair Trading
Cyber health under the microscope
20 March 2002
Fifty-eight consumer protection and health authorities from all over the world swept the internet last month to improve the marketing practices of websites promoting health products, and to pursue fraudulent health businesses.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commerce Commission takes airline industry complaints seriously: decision to prosecute Freedom Air
14 March 2002
The Commerce Commission is warning the airline industry to ensure its practices for advertising airfares do not breach the Fair Trading Act or face further prosecutions.Relates to: Fair Trading
February 2002
New safety standard for baby walkers
28 February 2002
A new mandatory safety standard for baby walkers is being introduced by the Government tomorrow.Relates to: Fair Trading
Invercargill Security Firm fined $4,000 for "free alarms" offer
27 February 2002
Demand Boss Security was fined a total of $4,000 in the Christchurch District Court on Monday. It admitted making claims that members of the public could obtain free alarms, without disclosing that in order to do so a customer had to take a monitoring service for a three year term at a daily cost of $1 + GST. The claims were made in an advertisement in the Southland Times in April.Relates to: Fair Trading
Real estate trader and agent both fined for misleading claims
8 February 2002
The true cost of making claims based on misleading information can often be more than a court fine warns Commerce Commission Director of Fair Trading Deborah Battell.Relates to: Fair Trading
Design and Arts College today fined $10,000
5 February 2002
Educational institutions were sent a clear and strong message today: you must be vigilant in the accuracy of promotional material relating to courses.Relates to: Fair Trading
January 2002
Commission joins forces for International Sweep Day: target sector is health
31 January 2002
Cyber health scams around the world are under the microscope this week as the Commerce Commission joins forces with 30 other national enforcement agencies worldwide in searching thousands of websites to uncover shonky health claims.Relates to: Fair Trading
Genesis Power and Source Distribution acknowledges misleading customers over the price of electricity
22 January 2002
In a settlement with the Commerce Commission, both Genesis Power Limited and its contractor, Source Distribution Limited, have acknowledged breaching the Fair Trading Act by making claims liable to mislead customers over the price of electricity in the Wellsford area.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commerce Commission commences court action against Bay of Plenty Electricity over refusals to grant meter access for electricity supply in the Bay of Plenty region
8 January 2002
The Commerce Commission has commenced court action against Bay of Plenty Electricity Limited alleging that the company has breached section 36 of the Commerce Act by refusing to enter into metering services agreements and grant meter access to other electricity retailers wishing to enter the electricity retail market in the Bay of Plenty region.Relates to: Fair Trading
