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Introduction

In 2006, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs asked the Centre for Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland to conduct qualitative research into Pacific consumers' behaviour and experience in the fringe lender market in South Auckland.

The research involved in-depth interviews with key people from community organisations based in South Auckland and focus group interviews with Pacific consumers. The researchers' report Pacific Consumers' Behaviour and Experience in Credit Markets, with Particular Reference to the 'Fringe Lending' Market is attached as Part C of this paper.

Part A of this paper sets out the wider context for the research and states the research objectives and the methodological approach taken. In particular, it places the research within the monitoring and evaluation framework of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 (CCCFA).

Part B contains a summary of the main research findings. It continues by outlining the government's initial response to the research, including what the Ministry of Consumer Affairs is proposing to do, and the implications of the research for the monitoring and evaluation of the CCCFA.

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