- Consumers' Institute of New Zealand
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Contents
The history of Consumer
The Consumers’ Council was established in 1959 ‘to protect and promote the interest of consumers of goods and services’. In 1963 the name Consumers Institute was adopted and in 1967 it became a separate government funded entity. In 1986 the Ministry of Consumer Affairs was established and the Consumers Institute lost its special legal protection and government funding. The Consumers Institute became an incorporated society funded by members’ subscriptions in 1989 and in 2007 the Consumers’ Institute was renamed Consumer NZ.
About Consumer
Consumer’s work covers a wide range of activities relating to consumer protection and information. Its work includes, comparative tests and surveys of consumer goods and services, research into and advice on financial, food, health, safety, welfare and environmental matters, representation at parliamentary committees and public enquiries and an interest in consumer education and complaints advisory work.
Testing
Consumer commissions independent laboratories to carry out product tests. Consumer does not accept free goods for testing or sponsorship. The magazine is completely independent and has no ties with any commercial firm or organisation. Their membership of Consumers International means they benefit from an exchange of information with consumer organisations around the world.
How Consumer is financed
Consumers’ money comes from the sale of publications and subscriptions to Consumer and consumer.org.nz. When a customer subscribes to Consumer magazine or consumer.org.nz they become a member of Consumer NZ (unless they request otherwise) and have the right to nominate and vote for Board members.
The Board
Consumer NZ is governed by an elected board of seven members who hold office for three years. The current chair is Mark Bedford. The deputy chair is Jo Bransgrove. As part of Consumers’ work on behalf of all NZ consumers, they regularly make submissions to Government and statutory authorities on a wide range of issues affecting consumers.
2008 Rebranding
In October 2008 Consumer took on a fresh new look, using a bold new logo and launched their magazine on the newsstand. The magazine had been only available by subscription for over 45 years.
External links
Categories:- Consumer organizations
- Members of Consumers International
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
