Articles tagged with Consumer Affairs
New Zealand and Australia Boost PACER Plus with $10M Support for Pacific Trade Growth
3 weeks ago | 146 viewsNew Zealand and Australia have committed $10 million over five years to support PACER Plus, aiming to enhance export capabilities, diversify trade, attract investment, and boost labor mobility in Pacific countries. This new investment, announced five years after the agreement took effect, underscores ongoing commitment to regional trade growth, economic integration, and prosperity. The PACER Plus Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme facilitates implementation, harmonizes trade infrastructure, and maximizes business opportunities across member nations.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Scott Simpson New Zealand Australia PACER Plus Pacific Islands Solomon Islands Minister of State for Trade and Investment Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Pacific regionNew Zealand Government Advances Infrastructure Funding Reforms to Boost Housing Growth
3 weeks ago | 128 viewsThe New Zealand Government is advancing reforms to improve infrastructure funding and financing to support housing and urban growth, focusing on land supply, infrastructure, and growth incentives through its Going for Housing Growth programme. Key initiatives include introducing the Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Amendment Bill, replacing development contributions with a new development levies system, and proposing the Commerce Commission as the regulator for development levies to ensure fairness and transparency. Public consultation on these reforms runs until February 2026, aiming to create a flexible, consistent system that enables faster housing development and better infrastructure delivery.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Watts Scott Simpson Housing Minister Local Government Minister Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Infrastructure Funding and Financing Development Levies Commerce Commission New Zealand GovernmentNew Zealand Minister Scott Simpson to Attend 2025 PACER Plus Meeting in Solomon Islands
3 weeks ago | 127 viewsMinister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Scott Simpson is traveling to the Solomon Islands to attend the 2025 PACER Plus Ministerial Meeting, emphasizing the agreement's role in strengthening economic growth and trade in the Pacific. Since PACER Plus began, New Zealand's trade with member countries has increased by 47 percent, highlighting the success of this partnership. During his visit, Simpson will also engage with the Solomon Islands–New Zealand Business Community and regional counterparts before returning to New Zealand on 28 November.
Tags: Scott Simpson PACER Plus Solomon Islands New Zealand Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Commerce Consumer Affairs Pacific Islands Australia TradeNew Zealand Introduces Safe Harbour Laws to Combat Online Scams Faster
1 month ago | 180 viewsThe New Zealand Government is introducing safe harbour legal protections to enable banks, telecommunications providers, and digital platforms to act swiftly and confidently in blocking suspected online scams without fear of prosecution. These protections require reasonable grounds for suspicion, proportional action, and correction of any unintended disruption, supporting a prevention-first approach against scams that caused $265 million in losses last year. Complementing this, the New Zealand Anti Scam Alliance is developing a trusted flagger system and new fraud intelligence tools to identify and freeze suspicious accounts, enhancing cross-sector collaboration to combat evolving scam threats.
Tags: Scott Simpson New Zealand Anti Scam Alliance Payments NZ New Zealand Banking Association Commerce and Consumer Affairs safe harbour fraud intelligence tool mule accounts online scams trusted flagger systemMinister Scott Simpson Strengthens Trans-Tasman Partnerships in Canberra and Sydney
1 month ago | 204 viewsMinister Scott Simpson is traveling to Canberra and Sydney to enhance New Zealand's partnerships with Australia, focusing on regulatory approaches, financial competition, and consumer protection. In Canberra, he will meet with Australian government officials to deepen cooperation and explore ways to promote fairer markets and economic growth. The Minister's agenda also includes engagements with the National Anti-Scam Centre, the Australian Banking Association, and Google to advance anti-scam initiatives and strengthen consumer protections in digital environments.
Tags: Scott Simpson Minister of Commerce Consumer Affairs Canberra Sydney New Zealand Australia Federal Government State Government ACCNew Bill Bans Surcharges on Foreign and Commercial Cards for Easier Payments: Impact on Businesses and Consumers
3 months ago | 348 viewsThe Government, led by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson, is expanding the surcharge ban to include foreign-issued cards and commercial cards, aiming to simplify transactions for businesses and consumers. The Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading, prohibiting surcharges on in-store EFTPOS, Visa, and Mastercard payments. The ban, set to be implemented within a month of passing the Bill, aims to save businesses up to $90 million annually and prevent surprise costs for Kiwi shoppers at payment terminals.
Tags: Government payment pain point surcharge ban foreign cards Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Retail Payment System Amendment Bill Commerce Commission banking fees merchant service fees interchange feesNew Commerce Act Amendments Boost Public Protection and Business Certainty
3 months ago | 280 viewsThe Government is updating the Commerce Act after nearly 20 years to enhance protection for the public and provide more certainty for businesses, focusing on promoting competition, innovation, and fair markets. Key changes include preventing unfair tactics, clearer merger rules, strengthening the Commerce Commission, and facilitating beneficial collaborations among businesses. The amendments aim to ensure the Commerce Commission is more effective, separate governance and regulatory functions, and give the Commission stronger tools to assess mergers and competition concerns, ultimately promoting fairer markets and consumer choice.
Tags: Government Commerce Act Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Competition Innovation Commerce Commission Collaboration Mergers ConsumersLocal Water Done Well: Government Legislation Benefits Communities Nationwide
3 months ago | 383 viewsThe Government's Local Water Done Well legislation aims to provide safe, reliable, and financially sustainable water services to local communities across the country. The legislation focuses on ensuring financial sustainability, oversight, and accountability in water service delivery, with the Commerce Commission overseeing economic regulation to ensure fair pricing and quality infrastructure. Councils are encouraged to submit water services delivery plans that meet the requirements and provide flexibility to make arrangements best-suited for their communities, ultimately benefiting Kiwis with improved water services.
Tags: Local Government Minister Simon Watts Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Kiwis Watercare charter Three Waters policy Local Government (Water Services) Act Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act Commerce Commission councils water services delivery planMinistry for Regulation Launches Sector Review to Streamline Product Labelling Regulations
4 months ago | 781 viewsMinisters Seymour and Simpson have announced a Ministry for Regulation review to address the high costs and complexities of New Zealand's product labelling regulations, which hinder affordability and global competitiveness. The current system, comprising over 30 codes and standards, imposes unnecessary compliance burdens on businesses, leading to increased prices and limited wage growth. The review aims to streamline regulations, reduce compliance costs, and enhance Kiwi goods' competitiveness internationally, with a focus on benefiting both businesses and consumers by simplifying the labelling process.
Tags: David Seymour Scott Simpson Minister for Regulation Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kiwis New Zealand labelling regulations businesses consumers compliance costsNew Zealand Bans Surcharges to Save Millions: Commerce Minister's Decision
4 months ago | 1732 viewsCommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announced the axing of surcharges to benefit New Zealanders financially. The move aims to eliminate the hassle and unexpected costs shoppers face at the checkout. By banning surcharges for in-store payments by May 2026, consumers can shop confidently without being penalized for their payment method choice.
Tags: surcharges money Kiwis Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson New Zealanders ban payments fees Commerce CommissionNew Zealand Anti-Scam Alliance: Fighting Online Financial Scams Together
5 months ago | 919 viewsImportant progress in the fight against online financial scams has been made with the launch of a new initiative between government, industry and consumer groups, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson says. “It is unacceptable that so many Kiwis are swindled by scammers every day,” Mr Simpson says. “Some reports suggest scams cost the economy up to $2 billion annually, and it is crucial we get on top of the problem.
Tags: online financial scams government industry consumer groups Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Kiwis scams AllianceNew Certification scheme unlocks $200M market for Kiwi cosmetics in China
6 months ago | 1016 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson have welcomed a new certification scheme, announced by the Prime Minister in Shanghai today, that unlocks access to China’s $200 million cosmetics and skincare market — a move that will drive stronger returns for New Zealand exporters and boost the economy. “This is a smart, practical step that removes a long-standing trade barrier and opens up valuable new channels for our exporters,” McClay says. “It means more high-quality, innovative New Zealand products on shelves in China - not just online, but in stores across one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets.
Tags: Chinese Commerce and consumer affairs Good manufacturing practice Government International aitation new zealand Ministry of business innovation and employment New zealand Scott simpson Shanghai Simpson Todd mcclay Zealand