Transfer of responsibility for regulation of consumer credit
On 1 July 2026, the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) took over regulatory responsibility for the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCF Act) from the Commerce Commission, becoming the single conduct regulator for financial markets, including consumer credit.
Regulation of consumer credit after 1 July 2026
The FMA took over responsibility for active CCCF Act investigations and most active litigation on 1 July 2026. Relevant data held by the Commission about lenders, and about the credit market, has also been transferred to the FMA.
From 1 July 2026 lenders and consumers should contact the FMA for any matter relating to the CCCF Act or for potential fair dealing breaches (eg, misleading and deceptive conduct) relating to any financial service or product, including credit contracts.
If you are a consumer credit provider, visit the Financial Market Authority’s websiteopen_in_new for more information.
Information on how to contact the FMA directly is available on the FMA contact pageopen_in_new.
Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Act 2026
On 1 July 2026, the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) took on regulatory responsibility for the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCF Act), becoming the single conduct regulator for financial markets, including consumer credit. The transfer of regulatory responsibility for the CCCF Act to the FMA was effected by the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Act.
The Amendment Act also made a number of other changes to the CCCF Act and you can read more about the Amendment Act and changes to the CCCF Act on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s websiteopen_in_new.
A copy of the Amendment Act is available on the New Zealand Parliament websiteopen_in_new.
To understand more about how the FMA regulates financial markets participants visit the Financial Markets Authorityopen_in_new's website.
Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Act timeline
- March 2024: Cabinet approved the transfer of regulatory responsibility for the CCCF Act from the Commission to the FMA
- 31 March 2025: Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill Introduced to Parliament
- 20 May 2025: First reading and referred to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee
- 20 October 2025: Finance and Expenditure Select Committee reported back to the House.
- 31 March 2026: The Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs released an Amendment Paper, which proposed a number of amendments to the Bill, including a commencement date for the transfer provisions of 1 July 2026.
- 14 May 2026: The Bill received its Second Reading in the House.
- 26 May 2026: The Bill went through Committee of whole House stage.
- 28 May 2026: The Bill had its Third Reading in the House and was passed.
- 1 July 2026: FMA takes over regulatory responsibility for the CCCF Act from the Commission.
- 5 June 2026: The Bill received Royal Assent and became the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Act 2026
- 1 July 2026: FMA took over regulatory responsibility for the CCCF Act from the Commission. Credit staff, active CCCF Act cases and relevant data was transferred from the Commission to the FMA in accordance with robust governance and security protocols.
Other links
- $90m back to Kiwi households and other wins from 20 years of CCCFA enforcement
- Credit transfer creates single conduct regulator for financial marketsopen_in_new
- Credit pānui for lenders – June 2026open_in_new
- Credit pānui for Consumer Advocates – June 2026open_in_new
- The Memorandum of Understanding between Financial Markets Authority and Commerce Commission is available on our Working with other agencies page.