2026 business and consumer surveys
Every two years, we commission two major surveys to help us better understand what people know about us, how they see us, and where they think we can have the greatest impact.
These insights inform our priorities and how we engage, showing us where we can improve our engagement, priorities, and regulatory approach so we’re acting on what really matters to consumers and businesses.
Understanding what New Zealanders think about the Commission and our work is central to our strategic focus on becoming a more data and intelligence‑led agency. Their views help shape where we focus, how we act, and how we protect consumers and markets.
Business understanding of competition and consumer law survey 2026
The 2026 Business understanding of competition and consumer law survey, undertaken by Verian, helps us understand businesses’ knowledge of competition and consumer laws.
This year 871 businesspeople were surveyed, using a sample designed to represent New Zealand businesses across different sizes and industry sectors.
Key findings from the 2026 survey include:
- Almost all (99%) businesses have heard of the Commerce Commission, and 84% say they know a little or a lot about the Commission (the highest level of awareness since the survey began).
- Perceptions that the Commission is transparent and open increased significantly from 47% in 2024 to 53% in 2026. The proportion of businesses training their own staff on Fair Trading Act compliance increased from 21% in 2024 to 26% in 2026. Training on the Consumer Guarantees Act has also increased from 21% in 2024 to 25% in 2026.
- The proportion of businesses training their own staff on Fair Trading Act compliance increased from 21% in 2024 to 26% in 2026. Training on the Consumer Guarantees Act has also increased from 21% in 2024 to 25% in 2026.
- Awareness and understanding of competition and consumer legislation continued to improve, particularly for the Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act, which remained the best understood among businesses. In 2026, 38% of businesses reported a good understanding of the Consumer Guarantees Act (up from 33% in 2024), while 29% reported a good understanding of the Fair Trading Act (up from 24% in 2024).
New Zealand Consumer Survey 2026
The New Zealand Consumer Survey 2026open_in_new, undertaken by Ipsos, is jointly commissioned by MBIE and the Commerce Commission. It helps us understand the current state of New Zealand consumers’ experience, actions, awareness and understanding of consumer matters and legislation.
This year, a total of 3,600 consumers aged 18 years or older completed the survey. Respondents were weighted to ensure the sample is representative of the New Zealand population.
Alongside MBIE, we continue to promote our tools, resources and information to help consumers understand and exercise their legal rights.
Key findings from the 2026 survey include:
- Transparency and openness ratings for the Commission have risen sharply. Nearly half of respondents agree that the Commission is transparent and open in its processes (48% in 2026, up from 44% in 2024) and communicates clearly (48%, up from 42% in 2024).
- The Commerce Commission is viewed as accessible by 62% of respondents. As this measure was introduced for the first time in 2026, no trend comparison is available. Perceptions are strongest for being respectful and inspiring confidence, with 56% of respondents agreeing with each attribute, up from 50% in 2024.
- Awareness of consumer protection laws remains very high, with 95% of New Zealanders aware that consumer protection laws exist. A majority of consumers (61%) also agree that New Zealand's laws provide adequate protection against businesses misleading or cheating consumers.
- Only 50% of consumers stated they have a good or moderate understanding of what their consumer rights are, compared to 55% in 2024. Groups who are less likely to be aware of consumer rights & laws include those who live in low-income households, Pacific Peoples, and younger consumers (aged 18-24).
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have emerged as the fifth most utilised source for guidance on consumer rights with 16% of respondents admitting to using AI tools to seek guidance on problem resolution. As this question was introduced for the first time this year, no trend comparison is available.