77 days ago

Confused about consumer contracts? Read this

Hira Siddiqui from Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga/Eastern Manukau

A standard form consumer contract is an agreement where the terms and conditions are already written out for you to sign, and you don’t negotiate what the terms and conditions will be.

The terms can be in a separate document, or on the back of things like tickets, quotes, terms of trade or invoices.

Examples of such contracts are rental car agreements, gym memberships, gas and electricity contracts, finance agreements, and retirement home contracts.

Normally you cannot cancel a standard form consumer contract if you change your mind part way through, but there are some situations where you may be able to e.g. where there is a ‘termination’ clause in the contract giving you the right to cancel with notice for certain reasons, if the other party agrees to accept your cancellation or where they breach an important term or condition of the contract.

Under the Fair Trading Act (FTA), businesses must not include unfair terms in consumer contracts e.g. allowing them to cancel or renew the contract, or to vary the goods or services they provide you, or to change the price payable without giving you the right to end the contract.
If you think your rights have been breached either under the Fair Trading Act or the Consumer Guarantees Act, you can seek a remedy.

✅To learn more about a standard form consumer contract, unfair contract terms, and how you can find help, visit cab.org.nz/article/KB00000040

Original post credit: Citizens Advice Bureau NZ/www.cab.org.nz

[Image description: A person exercising in a gym with equipment. Text reads “What is a standard consumer contract and what are my rights when a contract is unfair or if I change my mind?]

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More messages from your neighbours
14 hours ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 9% Yes! New Year, New Me
    9% Complete
  • 21.7% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    21.7% Complete
  • 69.3% Nah - not for me
    69.3% Complete
290 votes
6 hours ago

Kōnae: Find Your Records

Hira Siddiqui from Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga/Eastern Manukau

If you want to know how to request records about you or your whānau visit Kōnae: My Records Guide konae.org.nz.

Kōnae has information on more than 60 state and faith-based organisations that have records for over 800 homes and places in Aotearoa New Zealand about people who have been in their guardianship or care.

The Kōnae map shows past and present places in Aotearoa New Zealand like children’s homes, hospitals, orphanages, boarding schools, Youth Justice facilities and many more.

Each place on the map has details about who was responsible for running it and how to get records.

The map can be searched and filtered by
- name
- location
- date range
- religion
- type of organisation.

If you want support to use the website or to find your records, you can get in touch with your local CAB on 0800 367 222, email or message via cab.org.nz, or visit a CAB near you cab.org.nz/find-a-cab

Accessing records can bring up a range of emotions, we encourage you to take care of your wellbeing. You can find suggestions of support at konae.org.nz/support

Original post credit: Citizens Advice Bureau: cab.org.nz

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9 days ago

Guitar wanted

Demitre from Cockle Bay

Hi guys, just wondering if anyone had a good entry guitar available for a decent price?