Complaint Line is a gateway website for organisations that provide the New Zealand public with complaint resolution processes. Visit Complaint Line to find out who may be able to assist you.You can also seek help and advice from these organisations:
- a community law centre or a lawyer
- a Citizens Advice Bureau
- 0800 LOAN STRESS
- the New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services
Advertising Standards
For enquiries about advertising standards please contact the Advertising Standards Authority via www.asa.co.nz or phone 0800 234 357.
Business Opening Hours on Public Holidays
For information about business opening hours on public holidays please contact the Employment Relations Information Line on 0800 20 9020 or visit www.dol.govt.nz.
Companies information
For information on whether a company is registered, or to register a company, contact the New Zealand Companies Office on 0508 26 6726 or visit www.companies.govt.nz
The Commission cannot advise on whether a company is legitimate.
The Commission does not disclose the number or nature of complaints received about a company to enquirers. This is because many of the complaints we receive are unsubstantiated. However, you may still be able to gather information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). Email any OIA requests to contact@comcom.govt.nz, including a daytime phone number and address. OIA requests may incur a cost.
Consumer Guarantees Act
For information on the Consumer Guarantees Act, refer to Consumer Affairs www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz
Electricity and gas service complaints
For an independent dispute resolution service for complaints you may have about your electricity and gas lines or your electricity and gas retail company in New Zealand, contact the Electricity and Gas Complaints Commission on 0800 22 3340 or visit www.egcomplaints.co.nz
Employment disputes
For employment disputes, contact the Employment Relations Information Line on 0800 20 9020 or visit www.dol.govt.nz
Endorsement of advertisements or business practices
The Commission does not endorse or advise traders on how to ensure their advertising or practices comply with the Fair Trading Act. Refer to the Fair Trading section or seek legal advice.
Faulty or unsuitable goods or services
For advice about faulty or unsuitable goods or services, contact the Citizens Advice Bureau on 0800 36 7222 or www.cab.org.nz, or visit the Consumer Affairs website www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz
Financial services complaints
We can take information about a complaint against a financial services provider if you were misled or if you have an issue with a credit contract. Otherwise, if you have an issue with a financial services provider, you may be able to take your complaint to one of the dispute resolution schemes – the Banking Ombudsman, the Insurance and Savings Ombudsman, Financial Services Complaints Limited and Financial Dispute Resolution. All financial service providers must belong to a dispute resolution scheme.
To find out what scheme your financial services provider belongs to visit www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/for-consumers/how-to-complain/financial-service-providers-disputes-resolution
Food Standards
For enquiries about food standards contact Food Standards Australia New Zealand on 0800 69 3721 or visit www.foodstandards.govt.nz
Health Products
For enquiries about health products contact Medsafe on 04 819 6800 or visit www.medsafe.govt.nz
Importing and exporting regulations
For all enquiries about importing and exporting regulations contact New Zealand Customs on 0800 42 8786 or visit www.customs.govt.nz
Information on petrol prices
For information on petrol prices, refer to the Ministry of Economic Development www.med.govt.nz
Information on registered motor vehicle traders
For information about whether a motor vehicle trader is registered, and information about the trader's business, including its physical address, refer to the Motor Vehicle Traders Register www.motortraders.med.govt.nz
Retail prices
We don't regulate retail prices. As long as businesses are not involved in anti-competitive or misleading activities, the Commission doesn’t decide whether retail prices are fair
Scams
For information about specific types of financial scams from overseas sources, refer to Consumer Affairs' scamwatch www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/scamwatch/ or the anti-spam unit of the Department of Internal Affairs at www.antispam.govt.nz
Telecommunication Dispute Resolution (TDR) service
TDR is a free and independent service that helps resolve disputes between consumers and telecommunication companies. Contact TDR on 0508 98 9898 or at www.tdr.org.nz
