Publications

Publications for consumers
Publications for business
Policy/discussion papers 
 

Most of these publications are a PDF version of our online content. You can download PDF versions of our content here. You may also order hard-copy materials from us.

You can order publications here.

Publications for consumers

Motor vehicles
Measurement
Product safety

General

Booklets

• Buying on Layby [766KB PDF] April 2010
• Buying on Hire Purchase - [523KB PDF] April 2005
• Credit - What you need to know when borrowing money or buying goods on credit [951KB PDF] June 2009
• Your Consumer Rights (Goods) [1132KB PDF] Nov 2007
• Your Consumer Rights (Services) [615KB PDF] Nov 2007

Quick Guide

• Before you borrow money [330KB PDF] March 2009
• Keep Your Car, By Knowing Your Rights [280KB PDF] May 2009
• Your Consumer Rights (Goods) [156KB PDF] Nov 2007
• Your Consumer Rights (Services) [220KB PDF] Nov 2007

Fact sheets

• Debt Collection [92KB PDF] March 2011
• Disputes Tribunal [89KB PDF] March 2011
• Door to Door Sales [89KB PDF] March 2011
• Fair Trading Act [89KB PDF] March 2011
• Gift Vouchers [85KB PDF] March 2011
• Goods for Commercial Use [92KB PDF] March 2011
• How to Complain About Financial Services [527KB PDF] February 2011
• Making a Customer Complaint [88KB PDF] March 2011
• Prices [88KB PDF] March 2011
• Pyramid Schemes [90KB PDF] March 2011
• Quotes and Estimates [89KB PDF] March 2011
• Refunds - Changing Your Mind [88KB PDF] March 2011
• Repairs  (includes information on liens) [87KB PDF] March 2011
• Second-Hand Goods [87KB PDF] March 2011
• Scams [102KB PDF] March 2011
• Shop Breakages [85KB PDF] March 2011
• The Ministry of Consumer Affairs - what we do [91KB] February 2011 
• Warranties [88KB PDF] June 2009
• When a Business Closes Down [88KB PDF] March 2011
• When Can I Cancel a Contract? [91KB PDF] March 2011
   

Motor vehicles

Booklets

• Back on the Right Road - Your consumers' rights AFTER buying a motor vehicle (applies to vehicles bought after 15 December 2003)  [1136KB PDF] April 2010
• Fit for the Road? - What you should know BEFORE buying a motor vehicle (applies to vehicles bought after 15 December 2003) [1293KB PDF] May 2008

Pamphlets

• Check before you drive - Buying a Vehicle [387KB PDF] June 2004

Measurement

• Weigh in and Measure up (A consumers guide to buying goods by weight or measure) [375KB PDF] March 2007

Product safety

Pamphlet

• How product safety laws work in New Zealand [89KB PDF] Jan 2008

Booklets

• Children's and Nursery Products - Keeping kids safe [993KB PDF] April 2011

Safe Use - safe products fact sheets

• Baby Bath Aids [106KB PDF] December 2007
• Baby Walkers [80KB PDF] June 2005
• Bib Safety [73KB PDF] June 2005
• Bike Safety [80KB PDF] June 2005
• Bunk Beds [196KB PDF] May 2010
• Children's Nightwear [194KB PDF] July 2008
• Cigarette Lighters [80KB PDF] June 2005
• Cots [294KB PDF] March 2010
• Hot Water Bottles [78KB PDF] June 2007
• Jump, Swing and Play Safely [75KB PDF] June 2005
• Ladder Safety 79KB PDF] June 2005
• Portable Cots and Play-yards [81KB PDF] June 2005
• Prams and Strollers [81KB PDF] June 2005
• Product Safety [78KB PDF] June 2005
• Toughened Glass [73KB PDF] June 2005
• Toy Safety [81KB PDF] June 2005
• Wheat Bags 81KB PDF] June 2005

Publications for Business

Measurement
Policy/Discussion Papers
 

General

Business notes

• Codes of Practice - Guidelines for Developing a Code of Practice [465KB PDF] July 2000
• Codes of Practice - New Zealand Model Code for Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce [55KB PDF]

Business factsheets

• Refund Signs and Policies - Sept 2003
• Scams - Dec 2001

Signage

• Refunds - A4 sized card for use in store display

Measurement

 The Weights and Measures Act

Business fact sheets

• Accredited Persons - March 2004
• Alcoholic Liquor (consumed on licensed premises) - March 2004
• Garden and Landscape Supplies - March 2004
• Laser Pointers - March 2004
• Pattern approval for weighing and measuring equipment - March 2004
• Quantity Marking of Packaged Goods No. 1 - March 2004
• Quantity Marking of Packaged Goods No. 2 - March 2004
• Sales of Firewood - March 2004
• Trade Weighing and Measuring Equipment - March 2004
• Trading Silage by Weight - December 2007
• Volume Delivery Measure Approvals - March 2004
• Weights and Measures - a guide for Retailers - March 2004
• Weighbridges - March 2004

Legal metrology

• Legal Metrology [792KB PDF]

How does legal metrology help the economy? How does legal metrology help society?

Policy/Discussion Papers

2009

• Review of the Operation of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003
  - submissions closed 16 November 2009
• Draft Guidelines to Assist Schemes applying for Approval under the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008
  - submissions closed 31 July 2009
• Proposed Reserve Dispute Resolution Scheme under the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008
  - submissions closed 31 July 2009

2007

• Proposed Government Product Safety Policy Statement on Discussion Paper - Proposed Amendments to the Weight and Measures Regulations 1999 PDF version
  - submissions closed 11 February 2008
• Acceptable Limits of Formaldehyde in Clothing and Other Textiles [66KB PDF]
  - submissions closed 26 November 2007
• Proposed Implementation of Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling [919KB PDF]
  - submissions closed 10 August 2007
• Recommended Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003 [164KB PDF]
  - submissions closed 14 May 2007
• Recommended Changes to the Consumer Information Standards (Used Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2003 [219KB]
  - submissions closed 14 May 2007

2006

• Review of the Consumer Information Standards (Used Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2003 [298KB PDF]
  - submissions closed 14 July 2006
• Review of the Redress and Enforcement Provisions of Consumer Protection Law: International Comparison Discussion Paper [188KB PDF]
  - submissions closed 29 June 2006

2005

• Dummies/Pacifiers - Investigation into the Need for a Product Safety Standard [155KB PDF]
  - submissions closed 9 December 2005
• Rubber Hot Water Bottles - Investigation into the Need for a Product Safety Standard [172KB PDF]
  - submissions closed 9 December 2005
• Review of Industry-Led Regulation
  - submissions closed 14 October 2005 July 2005
• Review of the Enforcement of Consumer Protection Law: Initial Think Piece
  - submissions closed 31 August 2005 - (extended to 29 June 2006) July 2005

2004

• Consultation Paper: Revision of the Product Safety Standards For: Cots for Household Use, Children's Nightwear and Limited Daywear Having Reduced Fire Hazard, Children's Toys (Small Parts Requirements for Children under Three), Baby Walkers [173 KB PDF] September 2004
• Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003: Proposed Model Disclosure Statements April 2004

2003

• Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003: Proposed Regulations [165KB PDF] November 2003
• Proposals for the Trade Measurement Accreditation and Verification Scheme [168KB PDF] October 2003
• Discussion paper on Voluntary GM-Free Labelling [331KB PDF] April 2003
• Guidelines for Consumer Representation [235KB PDF] March 2003
• Report of Consumer Representation Study [517KB PDF]  2000-2002
   

 You can order publications here.