Other things you can do

Most New Zealanders have a sense that all isn’t well in our slice of paradise. Perhaps there is an issue or agenda that pushes your ‘hot button’ and you have wanted to speak or do something but didn’t know how. The Maxim Institute has developed a tool kit to help people. You can find it at www.maxim.org.nz/ca/1.html

Maxim also has a Letter Wizard, which will help you to write letters to the Editor of any daily newspaper in New Zealand.

How to make a formal complaint about advertising

Complaints about advertisements (in any media) are handled by the Advertising Standards Authority. Complaints must relate to alleged breaches of the Codes of Practice which are published by the Advertising Standards Authority. Details of the Codes of Practice can be found on the Advertising Standards Authority website www.asa.co.nz/codes.htm

The Codes refer to:

Advertising to Children
Comparative Advertising
Environmental Claims
Ethics
Farm Safety
Financial Advertising
Food Advertising
Gaming & Gambling
Liquor
People in Advertising
Road Safety
Therapeutic Advertising
Tobacco Products
Weight Management

Complaints should be addressed to:
The Secretary,
Advertising Standards Complaints Board,
Box 10-675,
WELLINGTON.
Telephone (04) 472 7852. Fax (04) 471 1785.
Email asa@asa.co.nz

Complaints should be in writing and signed. Where the complaint involves a print advertisement, a copy of the advertisement should be included. Where a television or radio broadcast is the subject of a complaint, the approximate time, date and station of broadcast should be specified, so that the advertisement can be correctly identified. If the complaint falls within the Advertising Standards Authority's jurisdiction, it will be sent to all parties concerned seeking their opinion and comments.

A formal written decision (including your name) on whether the Codes of Practice have been breached will subsequently be sent to you, the other parties and to the media.