Useful Links

Links to other organisations that may be able to help you can be found below, including community organisations, government agencies, financial sector Codes of Conduct, other dispute resolution schemes and, industry and professional bodies.

Consumer Help

Age Concern: is for older New Zealanders seeking support and advice.
CERT NZ: government agency to report cyber incidents, cyber advisories and support, guides on cyber protection and response to attacks.
Citizens Advice Bureau: provides free, confidential, independent information and advice.
Community Law: centres provide free support on legal issues.
Consumer NZ: is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to getting New Zealanders a fairer deal.
Grey Power: advocacy group for our older community.
FinCap: a nationwide organisation providing financial mentoring, budgeting and advice.
Money Talks: free and confidential budgeting advice. Money Talks connects people and whānau with their local foodbanks, help them find their way through Work and Income processes and entitlements and support people to manage their money.
Safe Travel: official advice for New Zealanders living and travelling overseas.
Sorted: advice on a huge range of money issues can be found on this site.

Government Agencies and Commissions

Personal Injury and Natural Disasters

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
New Zealand Claims Resolution Service provides homeowners with free independent support to resolve residential insurance issues resulting from natural disasters
Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake

Regulators of New Zealand Financial Service Providers

Commerce Commission (Lenders)
Financial Markets Authority (FMA) (Financial Advice Providers, advisers and Financial Institutions)
FMA - Scams, Warnings, Alerts for consumers
Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Banks and Insurers)

Relevant Government Agencies and Commissioners

ConsumerProtection informs and educates Kiwis about the process of buying a product or service.
Human Rights Commission Te Kahui Tika Tangata
Privacy Commissioner Te Mana Matapono Matatapu
Ministry of Health COVID-19 updates and health advice.
Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission supports people and businesses in their financial decisions and planning

Financial Sector Codes of Conduct

Financial Advice Provider and Advisers

All Financial Advice Providers and the financial advisers they engage, are subject to the regulatory Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services which outlines the minimum standards of ethical behaviour, conduct, client care, knowledge, competence and skill. The Financial Advisers Disciplinary Committee (FADC), established by the Minister of Commerce, conducts disciplinary proceedings arising out of complaints regarding financial advisers referred to it by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).

Credit Providers and Finance Companies

All lenders are subject to lending regulations and the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA) which requires lenders to act responsibly, and ensures borrowers are able to make informed choices about what they are agreeing to. The Commerce Commission website and the Responsible Lending Code further provides guidance on the lender responsibilities.

Many lending companies are members of the Financial Services Federation (FSF) which provides helpful consumer information on responsible borrowing. FSF members subscribe to the Responsible Lending Guidelines and Responsible Credit-related Insurance Code and Responsible Mobile Shop Code.

Insurers for Home, Contents, Vehicle, Pet and Travel Insurance

Most general insurers are members of the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) and subscribe to the Fair Insurance Code - a code developed by the ICNZ, which sets out "the standard of service member companies must provide to their customers. These obligations on ICNZ members are in addition to those imposed by the law". The code describes how the consumer's relationship with their insurer should work, including what you need to tell them and how they need to respond.

Insurers for Life, Health, Trauma Insurance and Investment Funds

Most life and health insurers are members of the Financial Services Council (FSC) and sign up to the FSC Code of Conduct that has the nine standards which fall into three core objectives covering: principle ethical standards, consumer information and communication, and delivering good outcomes to consumers.

Note: This is a industry code for FSC Members only, mainly made up of Life & Health Insurers, Investment Funds. It is designed to support the professionalism of the financial services industry and the FSC members and is about increasing trust and confidence in the providers of financial services and the products they deliver.