Commerce Commission
In New Zealand, the Commerce Commission is responsible for regulating certain goods and services.
The Telecommunications Act 2001 (Act) regulates the supply of some telecommunications services in New Zealand (regulated services).
The purpose of this is “to promote competition in telecommunications markets for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services within New Zealand by regulating, and providing for the regulation of, the supply of certain telecommunications services between service providers.”
Under Schedule 2 of the Act, the Telecommunications Industry Forum may submit draft telecommunications access codes to the Commerce Commission for approval.
Visit the Commerce Commission website
Ministry of Economic Development
The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) provides policy advice on the regulatory environment for the New Zealand telecommunications sector.
Visit the MED website
The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum
The TCF is recognised by the government and the Commerce Commission as being the “Telecommunications Industry Forum” referred to in the Act.
In consultation with TCF established working parties, the TCF prepares telecommunications access codes - referred to as ‘regulated codes’ by the TCF - for approval by the Commerce Commission, in accordance with the Telecommunications Act 2001.
In addition, the TCF also prepares other telecommunications codes (referred to as ‘voluntary’ or ‘self-regulated’ codes, which are strictly speaking, ‘non-regulated’ codes), and facilitates dialogue on industry issues of common interest.
Regulated Codes, once approved by the Commission, become binding on all parties to whom they relate. A non-regulated code is binding on its signatories, who are subject to code-specific compliance and enforcement procedures.
Codes of practice help both the telecommunications industry and users by standardising practices, particularly in the area of rights and responsibilities, and encouraging marketplace competition.