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Page updated: 05-08-2008

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A Word of Advice

Index of Media Releases

Current Media Releases

2008

31 July 2008 – Children’s nightwear labelling regulations now effective - Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs [external Link]
31 July 2008 – Minister warns, don't be duped by extended warranties - Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs [external Link]
11 July 2008 - Minister welcomes BSA decision on formaldehyde episode - Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs [external Link]
30 May 2008 - Australian consumer law harmonisation welcomed - Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs [external Link]
20 May 2008 - Do not get a shock from your next power bill - Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs [external Link]
30 April 2008 - Improved information on used cars for sale: When a SIN becomes a CIN - Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs [external Link]
16 April 2008 - Children’s nightwear labelling to be changed – Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs [external Link]
3 April 2008 – Ban on unsafe water colour paint sets – Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs [external Link]
10 March 2008 - Hitman scam targets New Zealanders - Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs [external Link]
3 March 2008 - Fraud Awareness Week 3-10 March 2008 - Fight the scammers. Don’t respond.
3 March 2008 – Fraud Awareness Week urges no response approach – Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs [external link]

Media Release Archives

2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

2007

26 December 2007 – Exchanging or returning gifts after Christmas – Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs [external link]
17 October 2007 - Formaldehyde tests show no health issue in clothes
4 October 2007 - Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal Adjudicators' Annual Reports released
19 September 2007 - Government moves on toy safety
5 September 2007 - Ministry of Consumer Affairs alerts consumers to Mattel toy recall
22 August 2007 - Investigation into formaldehyde in clothing
17 August 2007 - Pacific consumers and fringe lending
28 June 2007 - New water efficiency labelling in the pipeline
13 June 2007 - Scammers carry on phishing for your money
1 June 2007 - Ban on unsafe hot water bottles continues
15 May 2007 - Are you paying too much for your power?
3 April 2007 - Consumer laws apply to all – even real estate agents
3 April 2007- Improvements proposed to motor vehicle sales laws
27 March 2007 - Fraud Awareness Month - Protect Your Identity
22 March 2007 - Minister Welcomes First Unsafe Baby Walker Prosecution
20 March 2007 -Fraud Awareness Month - Protect Your Computer
19 March 2007 - "Bumped" and Delayed Passengers Can Seek Compensation
12 March 2007 - Fraud Awareness Month - Protect Your Phone
6 March 2007 - Don't Let a Scammer Walk off with Your Wallet!: Fraud Awareness Month - Protect Your Money
5 March 2007 - If It's Too Good to Be True then It's Probably a Scam

2006

26 December 2006 - Exchanging or Returning Lemons after Christmas
21 December 2006 - KISS @ Christmas
14 December 2006 - 30 Years of the Metric System
17 November 2006 - Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal Resolving Consumers' Complaints
16 November 2006 - Credit Law Shows It Has Teeth
31 October 2006 - Motor Vehicle Law Working for Consumers
19 May 2006 - Car "Window Card" Information to Be Revisited
12 May 2006 - Magnetix Building Sets - Voluntary Recall
11 May 2006 - Myths and Confusion around Motor Vehicle Sales Legislation
2 May 2006 - Submissions Called for on Consumer Protection Laws
30 March 2006 - Protect Your PIN
27 March 2006 - Car Buyers the Winner
23 March 2006 - Car Buyers Better Protected
17 March 2006 - Thank U 2 Promoters
17 March 2006 - Phishing for Your Funds
13 March 2006 - Why a "Get Rich Quick" Scheme Will Only Ever Cost You Money
2 March 2006 - Won a Prize in a Lottery You Didn't Enter? It's a Scam
22 February 2006 - Trans-Tasman Taskforce Takes up the Fight against Scams
10 February 2006 - Unsafe Flaming Gel Recalled

2005

15 December 2005 - Some festive season tips for consumers – exchanges, returns and gift vouchers
9 December 2005 - Unsafe 'No Holes Tongue Stud' banned
29 November 2005 - Minister urges people to stop using 'No Holes Tongue Stud'
25 November 2005 - Court ruling on misleading advertising welcomed
15 November 2005 - Research shows consumers confident in New Zealand marketplace
15 August 2005- New product safety standards approved
2 August 2005 - Checking personal credit information
28 July 2005 - Effective Industry-Led Regulation
4 July 2005 - Unsafe goods notices revoked
6 May 2005 - Winter heating and keeping children safe
6 May 2005 - What to look for when buying hot water bottles
21 April 2005 - Ministry of Consumer Affairs works with business for good measure - The Ministry of Consumer Affairs Measurement and Product Safety Service approves a new one cubic metre (1m³) bin to measure mulch, bark chip and soil.
1 April 2005 - Watching out for loan and credit traps
21 March 2005 - New credit law ten days away
15 March 2005 - Consumer credit survey released
10 March 2005 - Working to improve internet and phone banking security

2004

22 December 2004 - Exchanges and returns - some festive season tips for consumers
17 December 2004 - Giving gift vouchers for Christmas
3 December 2004 - Scamsters keep up with international news- Yasser Arafat scam
25 November 2004 - Unsafe hot water bottles banned
15 October 2004 - Improved credit disclosure benefits consumers and business
15 September 2004 - Low fire-risk doesn't mean no fire-risk
15 September 2004 - Discussion paper on GM-labelling welcomed
13 September 2004 - NZ to comment on Australian product safety review
31 August 2004 - Consumers burnt over hot water bottles
25 August 2004 - Consumers' rights after Takou Bay electricity incident
13 August 2004 - New credit regulations good for consumers and business
3 August 2004 - Government strengthens partnership with Citizens Advice Bureaux
22 June 2004 - Housing buy-backs scheme Update
4 June 2004 - Consumers benefit from increased funding
14 March 2004 - Consumers' rights recognised around the world
2 February 2004 - Motor Vehicle Traders registering in droves
14 January 2004 - New law aims to reduce compliance costs for business

2003

18 December 2003 - Be Safe this Christmas
15 December 2003 - New SINS become law – Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs [external link]
8 December 2003 - Set a Christmas budget - and stick to it
24 November 2003 - How loud is too loud for children's toys?
31 October 2003 - Motor Vehicle Sales Act likely to come into effect mid-December
7 October 2003 - Greater protection for consumers in new legislation
9 September 2003 - Second-hand bike issue resolved for consumers
14 August 2003 - Amendment to deal with "buy-back" schemes
21 July 2003 - Time running out for people in "buy back" schemes
10 July 2003 - More warnings about buy-back loans
4 July 2003 - Are you in a buy-back scheme? Call the hotline
3 July 2003 - Tougher penalties to protect consumers
3 July 2003 - Utilities now covered by consumer protection law
24 June 2003 - Toll-free phone for buy-back concerns
30 May 2003 - Carbon Monoxide – the silent killer
19 May 2003 - Yo-Yo Ball safety in doubt
6 May 2003 - Refunds for Recalled Pan Pharmaceuticals' Products
16 April 2003 - Free Electricity Information and Power-saving Advice for Consumers
11 April 2003 - Discussion Paper on GM-free Labelling System
3 April 2003 - New Regime for Motor Vehicle Trading
9 January 2003 - Scam Operators Very busy Post-Christmas

2002

23 December 2002 - Festive shopping and post-Christmas tips for consumers
11 December 2002 - Christmas Tree Lights and Nightlight Prohibited
13 November 2002 - KFC Underweight Again
18 September 2002 - New Credit Legislation to Give Consumers More Clout
28 August 2002 - Consumers play an active role in the economy
19 April 2002 - Appointment of New General Manager of Consumer Affairs (this link goes to the Ministry of Economic Development site)

2001

15 November 2001 - Consumer PowerSwitch - Easier Price Comparisons for Electricity
9 November 2001 - New Zealand Hosts International Weights and Measures Conference
8 November 2001 - Anderton Weighs-in on Behalf of Consumers
13 October 2001 - Consumers to Get Electricity Redress Under New Legislation
9 October 2001 - Baby Walkers to be Made Safer
22 September 2001 - Government Targets Pyramid Schemes
8 August 2001 - Consumer Credit Laws to be Overhauled
20 July 2001 - Customer Complaint More Than a Drop in the Bucket
26 June 2001 - MVDA Changes Drive Better Deal for Consumers
25 April 2001 - New International Website Helps Protect Internet Shoppers
28 March 2001 - New Laws Sought to Fix Credit Law Loopholes
19 March 2001 - NZ Web Retailers not All User Friendly
15 February 2001 - Internet Shopping Sites Under Scrutiny
3 February 2001 - Dangerous Blowpipes to be Restricted

2000

4 December 2000 - Layby for Christmas With Confidence
30 November 2000 - Mandatory Standard on Baby Walkers Proposed
1 October 2000 - New Website Helps Kids Become Smart Shoppers
19 September 2000 - Government Agencies and Consumer Groups Meet to Share Ideas
17 September 2000 - Food Safety Consumer Forum
30 August 2000 - New Mandatory Standard for Cots
22 August 2000 - Credit Law Paper Released
27 July 2000 - Banks Need to Do Better
14 July 2000 - Measuring Up to Standards
5 July 2000 - Minister Launches Banking Hotline
30 June 2000 - Truck and Tanker Fire Extinguisher Brackets Faulty
24 June 2000 - Poisonous Candles Banned
28 March 2000 - Ministry Presents Powerline Findings to Electricity Submission
28 February 2000 - The Power Line Gives Electricity Consumers a Say

1999

17 December 1999 - Wise up to Y2K Says Ministry
16 December 1999 - Warnings for Christmas Shoppers
12 December 1999 - On-Line Shopping Guidelines Developed
7 December 1999 - Hawk Hand Puller Tool Recalled
29 November 1999 - Baby Accident a Reminder About Safety
1 November 1999 - Scams Targeting Retired People
12 October 1999 - Internet Shopping Sites Provide Poor Customer Protection
22 September 1999 - New Safety Standard for Cots
16 September 1999 - Candles that Poison
25 August 1999 - Winners Can Be Losers
23 July 1999 - Toy Guns That Injure
21 July 1999 - Look Before You Leap, Warns Ministry
15 July 1999 - Telecom Should Rethink Its Position on Phone Cards
1 July 1999 - Consumer Credit Law to be Reviewed
28 June 1999 - Don't Hug the Heater!
14 May 1999 - Cigarette Lighters Given the Flick
13 April 1999 - Sewing Machine to be Recalled
24 March 1999 - Unsafe Pompom on Toy Musical Clown
9 March 1999 - Minister Criticises Telecom for Phone Cards
29 January 1999 - Ministry Investigating Telecom Phone Cards Issue
12 January 1999 - Unsafe Candle Recall
11 January 1999 - Glass Doors and Windows: Think Safe, Play Safe

1998

21 December 1998 - Watch Where You Put Lighters
30 November 1998 - Flammable Keyring Hazard
30 November 1998 - Pram Model to be Modified
23 November 1998 - "The Wood Lady" Convicted
10 November 1998 - Government to Ban Dangerous Lighters
30 October 1998 - Electricity Companies Respond to Pressure
22 October 1998 - Ministry Searches for Miracle Cure
6 October 1998 - Novelty Cigarette Lighters in the Line of Fire
28 September 1998 - Ministry Measures Up to Quality
1 July 1998 - Ministry Celebrates Improvements for Consumers
12 June 1998 - Parallel Importing and Rights to Redress
26 May 1998 - Ministry Acts to Provide Better Information for Car Buyers
6 May 1998 - Outstanding Faulty Car Fuel Pumps A Serious Concern
5 May 1998 - Ministry Announces Odometer Campaign
1 May 1998 - Toy Cigarette Lighters - Training for the Real Thing?
24 April 1998 - Ministry Re-Issues Warning
21 April 1998 - Warning to Check Diving Cylinders
17 April 1998 - Pram and Cot Safety Under Review
10 April 1998 - Firescreens Give False Sense of Security
11 March 1998 - Fast Money Too Good to Be True
6 March 1998 - Danger - Lead in Balancing Bird Toy
20 February 1998 - Matamata Wood Merchant Fined
15 January 1998 - Call for Voluntary Restriction on Laser Pointers
12 January 1998 - Blenheim Wood Merchant Fined

1997

17 December 1997 - Aerosol Strings and Streamers Warning
17 December 1997 - Pre-Christmas Inspections Find Breaches
13 December 1997 - Portable Cot Safety Enhancement Welcomed
11 December 1997 - International Internet Sweep Day
26 November 1997 - Watching the Weight This Christmas
26 November 1997 - Check the Cupboard, Says Ministry
25 November 1997 - Laloli Cot Safety Warning - Three Models Recalled
17 November 1997 - Shopping in the Electronic Age
14 November 1997 - Ministry Welcomes DUMBBELL Rattle Recall
3 November 1997 - Consumer Rights in Levene's Receivership
3 November 1997 - Keep Fit - But Check Your Rider
31 October 1997 - Ministry Supports Continued Consumer Safety Standards
31 October 1997 - Portable Wooden Cot Warning
30 October 1997 - Stolen Pram Faulty
16 October 1997 - Ministry Sweeps Net for Scams
23 September 1997 - Year 2000 Warning
17 September 1997 - Technology Creates New Risks for Shoppers
15 September 1997 - Baby Bouncer Injury - Advice to Parents
14 September 1997 - Safety Hazards for Infant Products
11 September 1997 - Genuine Mileage - Or Is It?
25 August 1997 - Electronic Commerce Discussion Paper Released
13 August 1997 - Shrimps Caught Short Weight

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