Too often FinCap hears from financial mentors who are concerned that some in Aotearoa are denied access to bank accounts or other essential services. At times when we follow up with the institutions who are denying access, we are told that AML (Anti Money Laundering...
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...
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...
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...
We anticipate that disruption to communities from COVID-19 will cause and compound hardship for many. Right now alert level changes are creating many barriers to maintaining or working towards financial wellbeing. We support the proposed addendum to the code on the basis that some additional...
Often people who financial mentors assist are facing difficulty paying for essential items like groceries. Any adverse outcomes for consumers from the conduct of nationwide supermarket chains can disproportionately harm people facing these financial circumstances. We have submitted this letter of support for the Consumer NZ...
Financial mentors often report that many of the people working with them are facing hardship due to persistent disadvantage or are at risk of facing persistent disadvantage due to various life events that have contributed to their debt. We recommend the Productivity Commission set terms of...
We strongly support the Electricity Authority improving information gathering processes, particularly where this will bring better insights as to what reform is needed to tackle energy hardship in Aotearoa. Electricity is an essential service, whānau need it for their health, wellbeing and social participation. No whānau...