As New Zealand gears up for the Rugby World Cup this year, the Commerce Commission is also preparing for the event.
While the organisation recognises that the event, which begins on September 9, is a great business opportunity for New Zealand firms, it wants to make sure consumers and businesses know
their rights and obligations under New Zealand law.
The commission's role is to inform and protect consumers and ensure businesses participate on a level playing field, enforcing legislation prohibiting businesses from making misleading representations about their goods and services and stopping anti-competitive behaviour.
"New Zealand wants everyone's experience at the Rugby World Cup 2011 to be memorable for all the right reasons," its website states.
It offers online advice to consumers about their rights, with a particular emphasis on accommodation, retail and travel, and to businesses looking to cash in on the influx of the expected 85,000 visitors and 4 billion plus global audience.
Although it does not endorse or advise traders on ensuring advertising and practices comply with the Fair Trading Act, the commission has resources available for business owners and recommends seeking legal advice if they are unsure.
One of the key areas the organisation is emphasising for businesses is the need to avoid misleading or deceptive practices in advertising, pricing, promotions or place of origin claims.
"Visitors will want to take a memento of New Zealand home. If you make a claim about the country of origin this must not be misleading or deceptive."
Symbols such as kiwi, New Zealand flags and other national emblems have been found to mislead visitors about whether a product is New Zealand-made.
It also urges people to steer clear of illegal agreements such as price fixing, bid rigging, market sharing and agreements to restrict output.
There are also warnings for businesses selling through a third party to ensure representations made about their goods and services are up-to-date and accurate. This is applicable to firms booking through agents or online booking engines.
If the agent or provider comes back to a customer claiming information at the time of booking was not up-to-date and there would be a significant price increase, both parties risk breaching the Fair Trading Act.
As New Zealand gears up for the Rugby World Cup this year, the Commerce Commission is also preparing for the event.
While the organisation recognises that the event, which begins on September 9, is a great business opportunity for New Zealand firms, it wants to make sure consumers and businesses know
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