What assessment, if any, has the Minister made of the ability of independent windscreen repair businesses to compete fairly where customers are directed towards preferred suppliers and independent repairers report pressure to reduce prices in order to obtain payment approval?

Answer

New Zealand's regulatory framework contains a number of protections that are relevant, including the Commerce Act 1986, which promotes competition, the Fair Trading Act 1986, which prohibits misleading and deceptive conduct, and the Conduct of Financial Institutions regime, which requires licensed insurers to treat retail consumers fairly. The Commerce Commission is responsible for investigating potential breaches of competition and consumer laws.