Consumer Rights in New Zealand
Understanding your rights as a consumer and how to protect them
Consumer Guarantees
- ✓ Right to goods that are fit for purpose
- ✓ Right to goods of acceptable quality
- ✓ Right to goods that match description
- ✓ Right to goods that match sample
- ✓ Right to services performed with reasonable care
Fair Trading Rights
- ✓ Protection from misleading advertising
- ✓ Right to accurate product information
- ✓ Protection from unfair contract terms
- ✓ Right to fair pricing practices
- ✓ Protection from deceptive conduct
Remedies Available
- ✓ Right to refund for faulty goods
- ✓ Right to repair or replacement
- ✓ Right to compensation for losses
- ✓ Right to cancel contracts
- ✓ Right to seek damages
Faulty Products
When goods don't work as expected or break down
Available Remedies:
- • Request repair or replacement
- • Seek full or partial refund
- • Claim compensation for losses
- • Report to Commerce Commission
Misleading Advertising
When businesses make false or misleading claims
Available Remedies:
- • Report to Commerce Commission
- • Seek compensation for losses
- • Request corrective advertising
- • Consider legal action
Unfair Contract Terms
Contract terms that are unreasonably unfavorable
Available Remedies:
- • Challenge unfair terms
- • Seek contract variation
- • Apply to Disputes Tribunal
- • Get legal advice
Consumer Protection Laws
Consumer Guarantees Act 1993
Provides automatic guarantees for goods and services
- • Acceptable quality guarantee
- • Fitness for purpose guarantee
- • Compliance with description
- • Service performance standards
Fair Trading Act 1986
Protects consumers from misleading and deceptive conduct
- • Misleading advertising prohibition
- • False representation protection
- • Unfair trading practices
- • Product safety standards
Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003
Regulates consumer credit and finance
- • Responsible lending requirements
- • Disclosure obligations
- • Interest rate regulations
- • Hardship provisions
Key Consumer Rights
Automatic Guarantees
Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, you automatically get guarantees that:
- Goods are of acceptable quality
- Goods are fit for the purpose you bought them for
- Goods match their description
- Services are performed with reasonable care and skill
When Things Go Wrong
If goods or services don't meet the guarantees, you can:
- Get a refund, repair, or replacement
- Claim compensation for any losses
- Cancel the contract in serious cases
- Seek damages for consequential losses
Where to Get Help
If you have consumer issues, you can:
- Contact the Commerce Commission
- Apply to the Disputes Tribunal
- Seek legal advice
- Contact Consumer NZ
Need Help with Consumer Issues?
Our lawyers can help you understand and enforce your consumer rights.