Where the appliances at a residential property already utilise gas then gas is an essential service that is necessary for the health, wellbeing and social participation of the whānau in that property. It is extremely important that appropriate protections to access gas fairly are in...
Effective enforcement from regulators is a critical cornerstone for achieving a well-functioning consumer protection framework in Aotearoa. As the Electricity Industry Amendment Bill is currently progressing through parliament, we encourage the Electricity Authority ready the Draft Strategy for a clear consumer protection function. We are also...
Changes to consumer lending law to help people avoid unaffordable debt mean it may take longer to get a loan from 1 December. Information to help consumers prepare for the changes has been welcomed by financial mentors and lenders. The changes to the Credit Contracts and...
Energy is an essential service, whānau need it for their health wellbeing and social participation. Clear protections to ensure all whānau can readily access the energy they need under fair arrangements are critical to wellbeing in our communities as our energy system transitions. We strongly support...
Fair access to essential phone and internet services is vital for the health, well-being and social participation of people, whānau and communities. It is regularly reported to FinCap that accessing these essential services can get too complex, confusing, unfair and generally messy for whānau. We strongly...
The team at North Shore Budget Service. From left: Bryce Diaz, Drew Glucina, Keith Adams, Christine Watson, Abid Al -Atafi and Nick Handey The latest lockdown has been tough for many whānau in Aotearoa, and those in Auckland are especially feeling the pinch. North Shore Budget Service...
Irresponsible lending from internet and phone providers for unaffordable products and services is a systemic issue that has been regularly raised with FinCap by financial mentors. FinCap generally supports the recommendations made by the Commerce Commission Draft report to the New Zealand Telecommunications Forum Inc. on...
FinCap is calling for robust regulation to counter unfair debt collection practices in Aotearoa, following the release of a new research report today. Overwhelming bombardment via phone calls, texts, emails and in-person visits as well as unpredictable yet substantial fees have been revealed among a range...
Overwhelming bombardment via phone calls, texts, emails and in-person visits as well as unpredictable yet substantial fees have been revealed among a range of harmful practices from debt collectors. This is one of the findings of the Debt Collection in Aotearoa from the perspective of financial mentors report from Victoria University senior lecturer...
In this extended article Victoria University senior lecturer Victoria Stace explores evidence of harrasment by debt collectors in Aotearoa and the case for adopting Australia’ approach to preventing the issue. A shorter journal article version was also published in the New Zealand Business Law Quarterly in 2020 and titled: Debt Collection in New Zealand: Enlivening the Prohibition Against...