Get e-commerce consumer protection issues right and there won't be a need to regulate in that area, Consumer Affairs Minister Phillida Bunkle urged a meeting of e-commerce code of conduct stakeholders today.

"Indeed, I have been told that regulation for consumer protection in e-commerce is unnecessary, difficult to design, costly to administer and may restrict e-commerce development.

"Frankly, I am not sure that I personally accept all of this," she told the meeting.

"What I do know is that as Minister of Consumer Affairs I am determined that consumers should have appropriate protection whether they are shopping in tradition 'bricks and mortar,' 'clicks and mortar' or pure internet businesses."

The Minister said she firmly believed in the need to represent consumer concerns in e-commerce as New Zealand moved towards improving its position on the global electronic market.

"E-commerce consumer protection schemes such as the proposed Code of Conduct for e-traders, are innovations dear to my heart."

Ms Bunkle said she hoped the meeting would produce some effective plans for consumer protection mechanisms in electronic trade. She urged the stakeholders to show more enthusiasm for developing such mechanisms.

ENDS

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