Name Change For Consumer

Name Change For Consumer

After nearly 50 years of being known as the Consumers’ Institute, the organisation has dropped the “Institute” part of its name, to better reflect the work of the modern organisation it is today.

In future it will be known as Consumer NZ.

The work of Consumer is largely funded through subscription to Consumer magazine and www.consumer.org.nz and the word “Institute’ may have led some people to believe it was a government department or was funded by government, board chairman Mark Bedford said. “But the only way we can do our work championing causes and acting on behalf of all consumers, is by people subscribing to our magazine or by buying information from our online service,” he said.

“With that in mind the board considered it was the right time to give a more modern face to the organisation.

“The mission and aim of Consumer – to get a fairer deal for all consumers – will never change but the way we do things will,” he said.

CEO Sue Chetwin said the organisation was more relevant today than ever, in being the organisation to turn to for independent, unbiased advice. “Just look at what is happening in the finance sector. We have been closely monitoring that this year and speaking out on behalf of mum and dad investors, who have lost millions of dollars in finance company collapses.”

The name change was agreed at a special general meeting of Consumer this month.

ENDS

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