Latest from Consumer Information

Think beyond the dream home

What to do when you’ve got the cash and it’s still not enough for a house.

Food labels lack data

Most shoppers want a new clear labelling system to help identify sustainable products, a study has found.

End of loyalty on cards

Marketing researcher Valentyna Melnyk, of Massey University, predicts that within 10 years, loyalty schemes as we know them may be a thing of the past.

Get the best out of your nest egg

Choose your provider wisely, pick the right fund, consider the impact of fees, make the most of extra benefits and beware of contributions holidays.

Consumer backlash hits

Angry growers are doubtful authorities will be able to prove the origins of the painful food poisoning outbreak as a consumer backlash against carrots and lettuce hits home.

Stomach bug: List released

The MPI has released reports that show a high proportion of people suffering a painful food poisoning illness were exposed to lettuce and carrots.

Editorial: Ministry needs to remember who it serves

Our official watchdogs on food safety in the Ministry for Primary Industries need a reminder of whose interests they serve.

Consumer Watch: Diamonds are forever

If you have a few thousand dollars to invest you've probably considered all the usual options: shares, bonds, maybe property.

Left hanging on phone-co calls

They make their money helping Kiwis communicate but the biggest telcos in the country aren't quick to pick up the phone when customers call.

Ask Susan: Sleep Store bargain one week too late for buyer

All credit for paying off debt

Having bad credit can stand in the way of everything from borrowing from the bank to signing up with a power company for your home electricity.

Expensive and cheap pain pills much the same

Some medications marketed to target back or period pain, or specific cold and flu symptoms, contain the same ingredients as pills sold for standard pain relief.

Shoppers miss the best deals

Shoppers are being duped by price-matching offers, with only 5 per cent taking advantage.

Retailers step up online offerings

Retailers adapting to the changing habits of shoppers are using their own websites to combat "showrooming".

Card transactions up in July

Consumers' plastic cards saw more of the light of day last month.

Supermarket rivals lock in cheap bread

Cheap loaves of bread are here to stay - at least for the foreseeable future, the country's major supermarkets have confirmed.