Who we are

Trading Standards is a team within the Market Integrity branch of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Hīkina Whakatutuki.

Regulator role

Our role as a regulator means we're responsible for protecting New Zealand consumers by keeping our marketplace free from non-compliant products and services. We do this by:

  • making sure New Zealanders have access to accurate measurements for purchase decisions 
  • ensuring the quality of marine and automotive fuel supplied in New Zealand.

Our core audience is business, but we also work alongside Consumer Protection, the consumer-facing team within the Consumer Protection and Standards branch of MBIE.

Consumer Protection website(external link)

Areas of responsibility

Trading Standards has the following regulatory responsibilities:

  • Trade measurement (accurate weights and measures for trade)
  • Fuel quality monitoring (including marine and automotive fuel)

In 2021, regulatory responsibility for administering and maintaining the following occupational licencing registers moved to the Occupational Regulation team within MBIE:

  • Motor vehicle traders
  • Auctioneers
  • Independently qualified pool inspectors