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500 for collection target
Petition addressed to: The Minister of Health, The Minister for ACC, The Minister for Veterans, The Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Large, overseas-owned corporate audiology chains are increasingly utilizing "white-label" (proprietary or re-branded) hearing aids. These devices are locked to the specific software of that corporate chain. This practice deliberately strips away consumer freedom, stifles fair competition, and directly impacts small, independent Kiwi businesses.
Given that an estimated 90% of these consumers utilize public funding—such as the Health NZ Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme, Full Funding hearing aid scheme, ACC, or Veterans' Affairs New Zealand (VANZ)—we believe urgent policy intervention is required to protect both public funds and consumer rights.
Reason
When corporate chains fit a white-label device (such as Specsavers 'Advance', Bay Audiology/Amplifon proprietary ranges, or Costco house brands), the underlying software is locked. If a patient becomes dissatisfied with the corporate chain's service, moves to a new town, or wishes to support a local independent clinic, they discover they cannot leave.
Independent clinics possess the clinical skill to help these patients, but we are technologically locked out from adjusting or servicing these white-label devices, or have to jump through multiple hoops requiring several hours of time to beg for access to the software. Any software updates (which happen frequently) are not automatically given to independent clinicians thus making this an ongoing problem. Consequently, the consumer is "locked in" to the corporate provider. This drastically decreases ongoing service quality, eliminates clinical choice, and obliterates fair market competition.
Thank you so much for your support, Teresa Burns Hearing, Auckland
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Petition details
Petition started:
09/15/2026
Collection ends:
03/15/2027, 23:59 GMT+13
Region:
New Zealand
Topic:
Health
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new language versionWhy people sign
It affects my business and limits client choice. I have had to turn away clients who have been unhappy with the service they are being provided by their Audiology clinic as I am just not able to adjust their aids given the lack of readily available software and support for them. It means they are stuck going to a provider they are unhappy with.
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Venerable hearing impaired patients should be protected. They should be educated when fitted with brands that are locked to the business which fits them and told that no other clinic will be able to help tune the aids.