What is the objective of the Consumer Protection Programme?

The objective of the Consumer Protection Programme is primarily focused on ensuring fair trading practices and protecting the rights of consumers. This includes legislation and measures designed to safeguard consumers from unfair or unethical business practices, ensuring that they have access to accurate information, and providing remedies in cases of exploitation or misinformation.

This answer reflects the core purpose of consumer law in New Zealand, which seeks to maintain a balance between business interests and consumer rights. By prioritizing fair trading practices, the programme helps to create a marketplace where consumers can make informed decisions, fostering trust in the economy. The protection of consumer rights also includes aspects such as redress mechanisms for disputes, which further strengthens consumer confidence.

The other options do not encapsulate the primary aim of the Consumer Protection Programme. Promoting competition among businesses is a related goal, but it does not directly address consumer protection issues. Assisting businesses in maximizing profit is not aligned with the objectives of consumer protection; rather, it is more business-centric. Limiting the number of consumer complaints received focuses on a reactive approach rather than proactively ensuring fair practices and protecting rights. Thus, while those aspects may be relevant to the business environment, they are not the main objectives of consumer protection initiatives.