MoneyHub Fleeced Kiwi Awards 2025

Welcome to the inaugural Fleeced Kiwi Awards, a blazing spotlight on the worst financial rip-offs and dodgy practices fleecing everyday New Zealanders.

Updated 3 June 2025

Why have we awarded those who fleece?

Born out of sheer frustration, this shortlist of shame is MoneyHub's bold stand to demand change in a landscape where sneaky fees, shoddy products, and rampant scams are draining the finances of everyday New Zealanders.
Since our first guide went live in 2018, MoneyHub has advocated for fairer financial products, from more favourable credit card terms to clearer insurance policies, saving New Zealanders millions.
Now we're turning up the heat with the Fleeced Kiwi Awards to shine a light on unacceptable hassles - think hidden surcharges, overpriced groceries, and warranties that duplicate your legal rights. Our goal? To shame bad actors into reform and empower consumers with the knowledge to fight back.
Beyond shoddy products is something more sinister - the endless scams flooding online platforms like Facebook, where deepfake ads and fake giveaways scam even the savviest New Zealanders. Media reports suggest scam losses are soaring past $200 million but could be as high as $2.3 billion. The Spinoff's ongoing research highlights this issue, yet little action is taken.

The Fleeced Kiwi Awards are our rallying cry for accountability, urging companies and regulators to protect the fairness New Zealanders hold dear. Join us as we unmask the 2025 Fleeced Kiwi Awards winners—practices and products that betray our trust and wallets. Let's spark a movement for a fairer New Zealand.

The 2025 Fleeced Kiwi Awards go to:

Debit and Credit Card Surcharges, and PayWave - For turning so many taps, swipes, and parks into cash extraction. Congratulations on making New Zealanders pay extra for the privilege of… paying.
Extended Warranties - For suggesting consumers need to shell out $200+ on a $1,000 TV for “protection” that you almost always get free under the Consumer Guarantees Act. Bravo for those scare tactics that make everyday New Zealanders nervous about buying high-ticket items, selling peace of mind when it comes built-in thanks to the power of the CGA.
Ticketing Fees - For ambushing fans with sneaky 8% "booking", “service” and “infrastructure” fees on concert and sports tickets, turning a $200 ticket out into a $218+ wallet extraction. These fees hide when you're selecting tickets only to show up at the checkout, leaving fans stuck to either release the tickets or pay for them.
The "Administration Fee" on Road User Charges (RUC) for Electric Vehicles - For charging EV drivers a $12.44 “admin fee” on a $76 cost to print a sticker and make your eco-friendly commute feel like a tax on a tax. This admin fee is shadier than Central Otago's black ice roads.
Private ATM Fees Gone Rogue - For charging consumers extortionate fees like $10.50 to withdraw $20, as seen at a Kapiti machine, a 52.50% markup. These costs exploit shoppers needing cash for essentials, betraying trust in a cashless world. We don't believe the fee reflects the cost of operating the machine.
Meta Platforms - For letting scam ads flood Facebook and Instagram, being part of the problem that costs New Zealanders $200 million to $2.3 billion yearly while pocketing ad profits. While Meta is fighting Australian scam ads, New Zealanders are unprotected.

We also cover MoneyHub Head of Research Christopher Walsh's comments about the awards, and detailed Frequently Asked Questions.

Take Action – Help Us Shape the 2026 Awards
Know a fee, product or scam that deserves a Fleeced Kiwi Award next year? Help us expose it.

Nominate a 2026 candidate – Email us with what you’ve seen and why it deserves attention.
Share your story – Post using #FleecedKiwiAwards on social media to raise awareness.
Report rip-offs anonymously – Use our secure form below to tell us what’s going on behind the scenes.

Together, we can spotlight unfair practices and build a fairer financial future for all New Zealanders.

What Happens Next? We’ll review nominations monthly and share updates mid-2026.

Debit Cards and Credit Card Surcharges: Hidden Costs at Checkout

The Problem: Using a credit card outside of a supermarket or major retailer often comes with a shock and annoyance—extra fees of 1–3% or flat charges. Consumer has raised it and we're pleased regulation changes look to be on their way.

If you're unfamiliar with these surcharges, they will appear when you pay; they're not printed on menus, price tags, or any other materials. Some retailers even charge the same for debit cards, which cost them less and are arguably a sneaky way to inflate your bill.

The Commerce Commission makes their opinion of surcharges clear in a recent update:
"We would expect any surcharges to be no more than 0.7% for contactless debit card payments or 1.5-2% for credit card payments. Many merchants only have one rate, so we consider any surcharge above 2% is hard to justify".

Yet we know this isn't the case. A dairy may charge 40 cents for any debit card transaction (large or small). If you pay for parking with a debit or credit card on an Auckland Transport parking meter, you'll be charged 50 cents even if you only need $2 worth of parking, although this can be avoided by using the AT Parking app.

The Significance: These fees accumulate over a year, hurting New Zealanders while retailers and banks collect the money. A $89 flight on Air New Zealand from Auckland to Wellington incurs a $1.53 surcharge; a $100 restaurant bill may cost a total of $102.50 when you go to pay, two tickets to a Peppa Pig Fun Day Out show which cost $89.90 incurs a $1.98 "Infrastructure Fee", a fee that ‘covers the cost of facilitating electronic transactions, and so on.

What We Say: We know the Commerce Commission is working on lowering interchange fees, which can't come soon enough. We'd like to see the law changed so that surcharges are outlawed, and the fees companies pay to banks for accepting cards are covered by the merchant rather than being added as a form of chargeback and extracted from the customer.

Special Mention: PayWave Surcharges

Tapping into Excessive FeesTapping your card for a quick coffee or grocery run is second nature, but many shops, cafes, and restaurants charge extra fees of 1–2.5%, sometimes even 3%. There are ongoing social media posts and news stories about it, yet nothing has changed (so far). It's a total rip-off, super annoying, and greedy.

What We Say: "New Zealanders shouldn't pay extra just for tapping their card," says Christopher Walsh, MoneyHub Head of Research. "Shops need to keep fees fair and show them upfront, and regulators must step in to stop this wallet-draining trick. We believe the Commerce Commission will make changes, but for now, Paywave penalties' are a rort.

Extended Warranties: Paying Extra for What's Already Yours

The Problem: Some retailers, such as electronics stores, aggressively push extended warranties to New Zealanders, which cost 10–20% of a product's price—$200 on a $1,000 TV. These plans often duplicate protections under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA), which covers reasonable faults at no additional cost. High-pressure sales tactics exploit fears of breakdowns, with staff implying that CGA won't help you should something go wrong.

However, the government's Consumer Protection site offers guidance:
"The Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) offers long-lasting guarantees on products and services bought for personal or household use in New Zealand. So in most circumstances, buying an extended warranty probably isn't worth the cost".

If you are considering buying an extended warranty, the guidance suggests you "carefully check what the extended warranty covers. Does it offer additional protection that you don't already receive with the CGA? Examples of extra protection include:

Cover for accidental damage — but check if your home or contents insurance also covers this
You buy something for business use, as the CGA will not apply".

Lastly, the government guidance suggests that you read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure it provides you with the protection you need. Some extended warranties expire once a claim is made — the terms must clearly state whether this will happen or not.

Overall, we believe consumers are misled into believing they're buying peace of mind when, in reality, they're often just buying a policy they don't need. Consumer NZ makes it clear - "If you're buying products for your personal use, we think you shouldn't bother with an extended warranty. With most of them, you're paying for cover you already have through the Consumer Guarantees Act and your home and contents insurance".

The Significance: New Zealanders waste millions annually on redundant warranties with "scare tactics" at appliance stores. For families on tight budgets, these costs divert funds from essentials and erode their consumer rights. The lack of clear warranty disclosures fuels confusion, undermining trust in the retail industry.

What We Say: New Zealanders need to become familiar with their CGA rights to avoid overpaying for redundant cover. We suggest using an AI tool like Grok or ChatGPT to ask questions specific to CGA cover for a particular product, as well as consult Reddit posts (if relevant).

Ticketing Fees: The Hidden Cost of Entertainment

The Problem: Ticketek and Ticketmaster, New Zealand's dominant ticketing companies, add fees that inflate the costs of concerts and sports.Going to a match or concert? Be prepared for a booking fee, infrastructure fee, and service fee, which will inflate the price by as much as 8% (or more).

These fees are often revealed late in the checkout process, trapping fans who have waited in virtual queues. For example, Ticketmaster's help page acknowledges that fees vary by event and venue but provides no clear breakdown.

The Significance: New Zealand fans are taken advantage of for their passion, with families often spending an extra $50 on a four-ticket event.

What We Say: "Fans deserve transparent pricing for the events they love," says Christopher Walsh, MoneyHub's Head of Research. "Ticketing firms must cut these fees - many New Zealanders demand these fees should be outlawed, and we agree."

Road User Charges (RUC) for Electric Vehicles: Taxing Your Green Dreams

The "Administration Fee" on Road User Charges (RUC) for Electric Vehicles: A Tax on a Tax, and a Hassle that Needs to be Modernised

The Problem: Driving an electric vehicle (EV) to save the planet? Prepare for a wallet-whacking 'tax on a tax'. Road User Charges (RUC) now apply to light electric vehicles (EVs), with a charge of $76 per 1,000 km, plus a very expensive $12.44 administration fee, just to print a windscreen sticker. Unlike petrol drivers who pay fuel tax at the pump, EV owners pre-pay in 1000km increments, requiring plate numbers, odometer readings, and the time to sort it out, all while being charged an administration fee for doing so.

The NZTA's RUC charges are for road upkeep, but that $12.44 fee--16% extra for an online click--feels like a tax on a tax. The administration fee is less of a cost to those who "invest big" and buy perhaps ten 1,000 km blocks, but in a cost of living crisis, many drivers won't be able to 'go big' with RUC top-ups and instead pay what is arguably a 'poor tax' of $12.44 every time they top up. That's not fair.

The Significance: These charges sting EV owners who are embracing eco-driving, adding $88.44 per 1,000 km ($76 + $12.44). Our focus is not on how expensive RUC may be for an electric vehicle (EV) compared to a petrol car. However, numerous social media posts provide comparative details.

What We Say: "NZTA's $12.44 online fee ($13.71 using an agent) funds "processing," yet it's overpriced for a digital transaction. Drivers shouldn't be fleeced for going green with fees that are far too high. Digital systems could verify RUC instantly. With EVs now 2% of New Zealand's total fleet, the RUC admin fee feels like a cash grab, not fairness, and undermines green incentives".

Private ATM Fees: $10+ to Withdraw Your Money

The Problem: Some ATMs charge $10 or more per withdrawal, with one Kapiti machine charging $10.50, which is simply outrageous. These charges exploit the cashless shift as ATMs dwindle, leaving cash as the essential option for small transactions or emergencies.

MoneyHub Head of Research Christopher Walsh explains:
"It was a summer's day in December 2024, we had walked along the beaches from Paraparaumu to Paekākāriki only to find the trains back to Wellington cancelled. A replacement bus required cash, and a nearby private ATM was available. However, the $10.50 fee to withdraw the $30 we needed was outrageous, but there was no other option as we don't live in Wellington or have transport cards. I don't think the $10.50 fee was an "error" unlike stories I've read in the news - I believe it to be a rip-off".

The Significance: ATM fees are particularly burdensome in remote areas, where banking options are limited. A $10.50 fee on a $20 withdrawal is a 52.50% tax, crushing low-income New Zealanders who need to pay expenses in cash. We understand that private operators need to cover the costs of running an ATM and serve communities, given the significant drop in bank-run ATMs, as noted in this recent article. However, $10.50 is considered abusive.

What We Say: "Accessing your own money shouldn't come with a hefty price tag," says Christopher Walsh, MoneyHub Head of Research. "Operators must lower fees and prioritise equitable access - we can accept $2 to $3, but $10.50 is shocking". Past media reports have suggested such high fees were simply an "error," but we are not convinced.

Meta Platforms: Profiting from Scam Ads

The Problem: Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, owned by Meta, serve as a breeding ground for scam ads, ranging from fake celebrity crypto schemes to dubious Marketplace deals. According to comprehensive Spinoff reporting, Kiwibank estimates that 40% of scams originate on social media, mostly Facebook, costing consumers $200 million to $2.3 billion annually, according to Netsafe.

While Meta verifies financial advertisers in Australia from February 2025, requiring IDs and licences, it has “no plans” to do so in New Zealand. Scam ads, often featuring deepfakes of political and sports figures, go unchecked, with banks reporting no response despite flagging fakes for months. Continued media focus, such as this report from April 2025, yields no results.

The Significance: These scams devastate users, as seen in the case of a Taranaki pensioner who lost over $220,000 to a Facebook crypto ad, and a Kerikeri pensioner who lost $378,000. There are many more. As reported by The Spinoff, “Meta’s response… has been zero,” when interviewing Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich, noting the platform profits from these ads while banks bear the blame.

What We Say: “Consumers deserve safe online spaces, not platforms profiting from their losses,” says Christopher Walsh, MoneyHub Head of Research. “Meta must verify advertisers in New Zealand, as in Australia, and regulators should impose fines to stop this scam jackpot. Consumers face financial ruin if caught by these scam ads, with low-income and elderly users hit hardest by fraudulent investing, e-commerce and Marketplace scams. This is a huge problem".

MoneyHub Head of Research Christopher Walsh's Comments on the Fleeced Kiwi Awards

"The Fleeced Kiwi Awards 2025 are a call for change in a financial landscape riddled with traps and ripoffs. Since MoneyHub's inception in 2018, we've empowered New Zealanders to save millions by exposing unfair practices, from crippling credit card fees to opaque insurance terms. In 2025, with living costs squeezing every household, we can't ignore the insidious charges and scams. A $10.50 ATM fee for a $20 withdrawal, an 8% surcharge on concert tickets, or $2.3 billion lost to scams on platforms like Facebook—these are not mere inconveniences; they're obstacles to financial stability.

The cost-of-living crisis makes every dollar precious. Families weighing groceries against a child's school trip shouldn't face surprise PayWave fees at the dairy. Retirees saving for dental bills shouldn't lose their nest egg to a fraudulent ad Meta failed to vet. These practices hit hardest when budgets are tight, turning small stings into crushing burdens. The Fleeced Kiwi Awards shine a relentless light on these ripoffs, not to vilify but to demand fairness—transparency in pricing, accountability in advertising, and value in products.

Our mission at MoneyHub has always been to equip consumers with the knowledge to make better decisions and fight back confidently. The awards amplify this, spotlighting systemic flaws while offering practical solutions. Check your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act before purchasing a warranty; use debit cards to avoid surcharges and refuse to shop with those who still surcharge you for doing so; report scam ads to the relevant platforms. Since 2018, our guides have driven reform in financial products, and we're committed to doing the same here.

These awards are a stand against complacency. Every New Zealander deserves a financial system that rewards trust, not exploits it. The $12.44 admin fee for an EV's RUC sticker or the 52.50% markup on a $20 ATM withdrawal isn't just poor value—it's a betrayal of the fairness we value. By naming these practices, we aim to spark honest conversations between consumers, businesses, and regulators, fostering solutions that ease the strain of rising costs.

The Fleeced Kiwi Awards also reflect a deeper truth: financial literacy is a powerful tool. When consumers understand their rights—whether it's CGA protections or spotting a scam—they can reclaim control. MoneyHub's tools, from our guides to our upcoming supermarket report, are designed to arm New Zealanders with this knowledge. We invite everyone to join us, sharing stories via #FleecedKiwiAwards to amplify the call for change.

This is a movement for a fairer future. The cost-of-living crisis won't ease overnight, but by tackling these ripoffs, we can lighten the load. Businesses must prioritise consumer value—clear pricing, verified ads, fair fees—and regulators must back this with robust oversight. Together, we can build a New Zealand where every transaction is a step toward financial security, not a trap".

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a practice ‘fleecy’ enough for an award?

A practice earns a Fleeced Kiwi Award if it unfairly drains consumer finances through hidden costs, misleading claims, or exploitative tactics. Examples include excessive fees (like $10.50 ATM charges), redundant products (like extended warranties), or unchecked scams (like Meta’s ad fraud). We focus on widespread issues backed by evidence, such as Commerce Commission guidelines or Netsafe data, to spotlight systemic rip-offs.

How were the award winners chosen?

MoneyHub’s research team, led by Christopher Walsh, analysed consumer complaints, media reports, and regulatory findings to identify practices that consistently harm New Zealanders. We prioritised issues with clear financial impact, like $200 million to $2.3 billion in scam losses on Meta platforms (Netsafe) or 8% ticketing fees. Our goal is to expose practices that can be improved and lead to real-world impact.

Why focus on scams when products like warranties are included?

Scams, like those on Meta platforms, are a growing threat, costing consumers $200 million to $2.3 billion annually (Netsafe), but they’re part of a broader landscape of financial rip-offs. Extended warranties and PayWave surcharges also exploit trust by padding costs without added value. The Fleeced Kiwi Awards tackle both deceptive products and scams to empower consumers against all unfair practices draining their wallets.

Why aren’t supermarkets covered in the Fleeced Kiwi Awards?

Supermarket pricing is a significant concern, with high grocery costs affecting New Zealanders disproportionately. We’re working on a more effective way to highlight these issues, as the complexity of supply chains and pricing practices warrants a dedicated, in-depth approach. MoneyHub is developing comprehensive resources to expose unfair markups and promote transparency, ensuring consumers get a fair deal at the checkout. Stay tuned for updates in 2025.

How can businesses avoid a Fleeced Kiwi Award?

Businesses can steer clear by prioritising transparency and value—display all fees upfront, verify ads to block scams, and ensure products add genuine benefits. For example, retailers should clarify CGA coverage to avoid pushing redundant warranties, and platforms like Meta must adopt Australia’s ad verification. Consumers reward fairness, and MoneyHub’s guides highlight companies doing it right to inspire change.

Take Action – Help Us Shape the 2026 Awards

Know a fee, product or scam that deserves a Fleeced Kiwi Award next year? Help us expose it.

Nominate a 2026 candidate – Email us with what you’ve seen and why it deserves attention.
Share your story – Post using #FleecedKiwiAwards on social media to raise awareness.
Report rip-offs anonymously – Use our secure form to tell us what’s going on behind the scenes.