This section provides information about and links to consumer research and reports commissioned or undertaken in recent years.

New Zealand consumer surveys

The Consumer Protection team conducts biennial New Zealand Consumer Surveys (NZCS) to find out what adult New Zealanders know about consumer laws, and it explores how they behave when they experience problems with products and services. The surveys provide national level insights on the health of the Consumer & Commercial regulatory system and enable changes to be monitored.

New Zealand Consumer surveys(external link)  – MBIE

Consumer Protection quarterly reports

Our Consumer Protection team report quarterly on New Zealand's consumer issues landscape.

Consumer Protection quarterly reports(external link)  – MBIE

Changes to wave 4 of the survey

This survey series were intended to be conducted over five rounds, with one survey every six months for two years. However, by round three, results from all rounds consistently reiterated that COVID-19 has brought more rapid than usual changes in circumstances to consumers and is exacerbating pain points such as the cost of living and concerns about the economy. It was decided to end the series at round three and put more focus on consumer issues such as purchasing, transacting confidently, and consumer concerns in line with Consumer Services work programme this financial year.

COVID-19 consumer impacts study reports(external link)  – MBIE 

Business and consumer research

Business and consumer research into awareness, attitudes, and understanding of their rights, obligations, and responsibilities.

Business and consumer research(external link)  – MBIE 

Consumer credit research

Research, evaluation and monitoring in relation to consumer credit including evaluation of the Credit Contract and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA).

Consumer credit research(external link)  – MBIE