2005 National Consumer Survey

During 2004 and 2005, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs commissioned baseline research to gather data on consumer awareness, experience and behaviour in the context of consumer protection law. The broad objectives of the research were as follows:

• identify consumer expectations about products and services transactions;
• to tap into consumer experiences of purchasing goods and services;
• to find out about information searching behaviour of consumers;
• to ascertain consumer awareness of rights and duties under the existing legislation; and
• to determine consumer attitudes to, and perception of, the efficacy of consumer redress mechanisms.

Two reports have now been produced. The first report concerns the findings of focus group research undertaken by ACNielsen in 2004 in preparation for the survey research. The second reports the findings of a survey of 1,000 New Zealanders undertaken by the National Research Bureau in 2005. The research will inform both policy and operational work of the Ministry, in particular the Ministry's Review of the Enforcement of Consumer Protection Law.

Documents

• National Consumer Survey on Awareness and Experience of Consumer Legislation / National Research Bureau Ltd (October 2005)
• Consumer/Trader Awareness and Experience of the Consumer, Product Safety and Energy Safety Legislation / ACNielsen (July 2004)