Built to last

We are excited to share a campaign that Consumer New Zealand is running called #BuiltToLast which is working to ensure fewer appliances end up at the landfill. You can help by choosing longer-lasting appliances and devices – and Consumer NZ will help you do that. You can also encourage retailers and manufacturers to make more durable products.

Consumer NZ is starting to introduce durability to their product performance testing, as part of a significant new focus on durable, reliable products. They will be sharing advice about which appliances last longer, so you can choose brands that make durable and repairable models.

We support the idea that manufacturers should test and disclose how long their appliances are expected to last. Consumer NZ is challenging manufacturers to make more durable and repairable appliances and to provide spare parts at a reasonable cost. They will also congratulate good brands, call out bad ones and support those who try to improve.

Let’s aim for lasting change that puts durable products in the hands of consumers and gets non-durable products out of the market for good.

Waste Minimisation Fund

The Consumer campaign #BuiltToLast and associated e-waste project is made possible by partial funding from the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF). Funding was approved by Eugenie Sage, Associate Minister for the Environment.

The funding of $190,000 over three years represents a 22% contribution to the #BuiltToLast project.

The purpose of the Waste Minimisation Fund is to boost New Zealand’s performance in waste minimisation. The fund invests in infrastructure, services and educational activity throughout New Zealand. The fund is enabled through the waste disposal levy.

There is considerable scope in New Zealand to reduce waste and increase the recovery of useful resources from waste. Lifting our performance in recovering economic value from waste also provides environmental, social and cultural benefits and reduces the risks of harm from waste. More information about the fund can be found on the Ministry for the Environment website.

Consumer New Zealand

The Consumer Council was established in 1959. At its first meeting, the chairman said whatever people earned, they would not get the best standard of living unless they spent wisely. The first Consumer magazine was published that summer. It included advice on how to buy safe Christmas tree lights and how to make nylon stockings last.

The organisation's name changed to the Consumers' Institute in 1963 and in 1967 it became a separate government-funded entity. In 1986, the Lange government set up the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the Consumers' Institute lost its government funding. In 1989, the organisation became an incorporated society funded by members' subscriptions.

In 2007 they became Consumer New Zealand and have about 90,000 members.

Learn more here.