Which agency is responsible for enforcing consumer protection laws in New Zealand?

The Commerce Commission is the agency tasked with enforcing consumer protection laws in New Zealand. It has a broad mandate that includes monitoring and enforcing compliance with a variety of consumer-related legislation, such as the Fair Trading Act and the Commerce Act. This role includes ensuring that businesses do not engage in misleading or deceptive conduct, as well as preventing anti-competitive practices that harm consumers.

The other options reflect different parts of the government or agencies with specific roles, but they do not have the complete authority or responsibility that the Commerce Commission holds in the realm of consumer protection. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs was actually merged into the Commerce Commission, which further highlights the latter's primary role in consumer law enforcement. The Consumer Affairs Office traditionally provided information and resources for consumers but did not have enforcement powers. Lastly, while the New Zealand Police deal with criminal offenses, they are not the body responsible for civil matters related to consumer rights and protection. Thus, the Commerce Commission stands out as the definitive agency for enforcing consumer protection laws.