Commerce Act 1986

Regulated goods or services - Regulating particular goods or services - Commission inquiry

52J: Process of inquiry

You could also call this:

"How the Commission investigates and gathers ideas from people to make a decision"

When the Commission starts an inquiry, they must tell people about it by publishing a notice in the Gazette. You will see the Minister's requirements in the notice if the Minister asked for the inquiry, or you will see the terms of reference if the Commission started the inquiry. The notice must also say how long the inquiry will take and what the main steps will be.

The Commission can share more information during the inquiry, like consultation documents or papers, in a way that they think is suitable. They must give people a fair chance to share their thoughts and ideas, and they might hold a conference to discuss the inquiry. The Commission must think about the views they receive from people during the inquiry.

Before the inquiry ends, the Commission must publish a proposed recommendation for people to comment on, so you can have your say before they make a final decision.

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This page was last updated on 31 August 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1685446.

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52I: Commission inquiry into particular goods or services, or

"The Commission checks if certain goods or services need rules to help keep things fair for everyone."

52K: Commission's recommendation following inquiry, or

"The Commission tells the Minister what rules should apply to goods and services after investigating."

Part 4Regulated goods or services
Regulating particular goods or services: Commission inquiry

52JProcess of inquiry

At the start of an inquiry, the Commission must publish in the Gazette a notice setting out,—
in the case of an inquiry required by the Minister, the Minister’s requirements; and
in the case of an inquiry on the initiative of the Commission, the terms of reference for the inquiry.

The notice must set out indicative time frames and key steps.
During the course of an inquiry, the Commission—
may publish, in whatever way it considers appropriate, further notices, consultation documents, or papers; and
must give interested persons a reasonable opportunity to give their views; and
may hold 1 or more conferences; and
must have regard to any views received from interested persons within any time frames set.

Before the end of an inquiry, the Commission must publish a proposed recommendation for consultation.

Notes

Section 52J: inserted, on 14 October 2008, by section 4 of the Commerce Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 70).