Consumer Rights
Faulty goods, misleading traders, the Disputes Tribunal, unfair contract terms, credit rights and surcharges in New Zealand.
Covered in this guide:
New Zealand consumers are protected by two main laws. The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 gives you automatic guarantees — that goods are of acceptable quality and fit for purpose — with the right to a repair, replacement or refund when they're not. The Fair Trading Act 1986 bans misleading and deceptive conduct, false claims, and unfair contract terms. Most everyday disputes (up to $60,000 from 24 January 2026) are resolved cheaply at the Disputes Tribunal, where lawyers are not allowed. The Commerce Commission enforces the Fair Trading Act and the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act.
Consumer Protection helpline: 0508 426 678. Citizens Advice Bureau: 0800 367 222.
Key Laws
Consumer Guarantees Act 1993
Public Act 1993 No 91, ss 5–7, 18
Automatic guarantees of acceptable quality and fitness; remedies of repair, replacement or refund.
Fair Trading Act 1986
Public Act 1986 No 121, ss 9–13, 46H–46M
Bans misleading/deceptive conduct and false representations; controls unfair contract terms.
Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003
Public Act 2003 No 52
Lender disclosure, responsible-lending duties, and limits on unreasonable fees.
Disputes Tribunal Act 1988
Public Act 1988 No 110; amended by the Disputes Tribunal Amendment Act 2025 (cap raised to $60,000 on 24 Jan 2026)
Low-cost small-claims forum; no lawyers; claims up to $60,000.
Faulty Goods — Repair, Replacement or Refund
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 gives you automatic rights every time you buy goods from a trader. Goods must be of acceptable quality (s 6) — safe, durable, free of defects, and doing what such...
Misleading and Deceptive Conduct
The Fair Trading Act 1986 makes it illegal for a business to mislead or deceive you — whether deliberately or not. Section 9 bans conduct that is misleading or deceptive (or likely to be), and...
Filing a Disputes Tribunal Claim
The Disputes Tribunal is New Zealand's small-claims forum — fast, informal, and much cheaper than court. From 24 January 2026, its jurisdiction rose to $60,000 (up from $30,000) under the Disputes...
Unfair Contract Terms
Standard-form consumer and small-trade contracts in New Zealand can't contain unfair terms. Under sections 46H–46M of the Fair Trading Act 1986, a court can declare a term unfair if it would cause a...
Credit and Lending Rights (CCCFA)
When you borrow money — a loan, credit card, or finance deal — the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 (CCCFA) protects you. Lenders must give you clear disclosure of the key terms before...
Payment Surcharges and Accurate Pricing
If a business adds a surcharge for paying by card, it can only pass on its actual cost of accepting that payment — it can't use surcharges to pad profit. The Commerce Commission's position is that...