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Consumer Law Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on consumer law for new zealand businesses.
Do You Have To Pay A Service Charge In New Zealand?
If you run a café, restaurant, bar, hotel, or even a retail store with a “hospitality-style” checkout (think: tasting rooms, events, in-store dining, or group bookings), adding a service charge can feel...
1 April 2026
Distance Selling And Online Consumer Law In New Zealand
Running an e-commerce business in New Zealand is exciting because you can reach customers anywhere, sell 24/7, and scale fast without a physical shopfront. But selling online also comes with a specific...
30 March 2026
Defamation And Slander In New Zealand: Key Risks For Businesses
If you run a small business, your reputation is one of your most valuable assets. But reputation can also be fragile. A single post, review, or “off-the-cuff” comment can spread quickly -...
27 March 2026
Dealing With Faulty Goods Under The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 In NZ
If you sell products to customers in New Zealand, you’ve probably dealt with at least one “this is faulty” message at the worst possible time - during a busy trading week, a...
27 March 2026
Credit Card Refunds For NZ E‑Commerce: What The Law Says
If you run an online store, you’ve probably had this moment: a customer emails (or comments on social media) demanding a “credit card refund now”, and you’re left wondering what you actually...
26 March 2026
Consumer Protection Laws NZ E-Commerce Businesses Must Follow
Running an e-commerce business in New Zealand is exciting - you can sell nationwide (or globally), automate a lot of your operations, and build a brand that scales. But because your customers...
23 March 2026
Consumer Guarantees Act vs Fair Trading Act: NZ eCommerce Rules
If you run an online store in New Zealand, you’re almost certainly dealing with consumer law every day - even if you don’t realise it. Two of the big ones are the...
23 March 2026
Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 in NZ: Business Compliance Guide (2026)
If you sell products or services in New Zealand, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (often shortened to the “CGA”) is one of those laws you can’t afford to ignore. It’s easy to...
23 March 2026
Client Not Paying An Invoice In NZ? Legal Options
Having a client not paying your invoice can be more than just frustrating - it can seriously squeeze your cash flow, your ability to pay suppliers, and even your own salary. The...
18 March 2026
Commerce Commission Rules For Gym Membership Cancellations In NZ
Running a gym or fitness studio is all about creating momentum - helping members show up, stay consistent, and get results. But behind the scenes, the legal side of your memberships needs...
17 March 2026Cancellation Fees And Consumer Guarantees Under NZ Law (CGA And FTA)
Cancellation fees can be a lifesaver for small businesses. If you’re booking out your time (or your team’s time), turning down other work, ordering stock, or reserving capacity, a last-minute cancellation can...
15 March 2026
Can You Send A Letter Of Demand By Email In New Zealand?
You’ve delivered the goods, finished the job, or provided the service - and the invoice is now well overdue. You’ve followed up politely. You’ve sent reminders. Maybe you’ve even had a phone...
14 March 2026
Can You Refund A Gift Card In New Zealand?
Gift cards can be a great way to smooth out cash flow, increase repeat customers, and boost average spend - but they also come with a surprisingly common question from customers: can...
14 March 2026Can You Sue For Defamation (Slander) In New Zealand?
If you run a small business, your reputation isn’t just “nice to have” - it’s often the difference between steady sales and a quiet inbox. So when someone posts a damaging review,...
13 March 2026
Can You Charge Late Fees On Invoices In New Zealand?
You’ve done the work, delivered the product, and sent the invoice. Then you wait. And follow up. And wait some more. If you run a small business, late payments can quickly turn...
13 March 2026Can You Legally Sell a Debt to a Collection Agency in NZ?
If you’re running a small business, unpaid invoices can quickly turn from “a bit annoying” into a real cashflow problem. When you’ve chased a customer, sent reminders, and tried to negotiate a...
13 March 2026Can You Legally Remove Unpaid Goods From Your Business Premises In NZ?
It’s a situation most small businesses will run into at some point: a customer (or another business) leaves goods on your premises, doesn’t pay, and you’re left thinking, “Can I just remove...
13 March 2026
Can NZ Businesses Charge Interest On Overdue Invoices?
Chasing unpaid invoices is one of those parts of running a business that no one puts on the vision board. You’ve done the work, delivered the goods, or hit the milestone -...
11 March 2026
Can Businesses Refuse Cash Payments In New Zealand?
If you’re running a café, retail store, gym, tradie business, or any customer-facing operation, you’ve probably noticed more people tapping cards and paying online. At the same time, you might be thinking:...
10 March 2026Can Businesses Legally Remove Google Reviews In New Zealand?
If you run a small business, online reviews can feel like a second storefront. When you get a great review, it’s a win. When you get a harsh (or plainly unfair) one,...
10 March 2026
Are Service Charges Mandatory In New Zealand? Hospitality And Retail Rules
If you run a café, restaurant, bar, takeaway shop, hotel, or even a retail store with in-person services, you’ve probably seen service charges become more common (and more contentious) in New Zealand....
4 March 2026
Are Price Match Guarantees Legal In New Zealand?
A price match guarantee can be a great way to win customers who are comparing your prices online, in-store, or across marketplaces. It can also be a fast way to create legal...
4 March 2026
Are Minimum Card Payment Requirements Legal In New Zealand?
If you run a café, takeaway shop, salon, market stall, or any business where payments are often “tap and go”, you’ve probably been asked (or tempted to ask): “Is there a minimum...
3 March 2026Acceptable Quality Under The NZ Consumer Guarantees Act Explained
If you sell products, supply services, or run an online store in New Zealand, you’ve probably heard of the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA). But one part of the CGA causes a...
28 February 2026Accepting Cryptocurrency Payments In New Zealand: Legal And Tax Issues
More customers are asking to pay in cryptocurrency, and for some businesses it’s a genuine competitive edge - faster settlement, potentially lower card fees, and a modern brand position. But before you...
27 February 2026
Return Policies In NZ: What To Include And How To Stay Compliant
If you sell products (or even services) in New Zealand, customers will often ask one simple question before they buy: "What's your return policy?" Having a clear return policy isn't just a...
8 February 2026
Implied Terms & Consumer Guarantees for Goods Sales in NZ
If you sell goods in New Zealand (whether you’re running a retail shop, an online store, a trade supply business, or you manufacture products), you’ll come across consumer guarantees sooner rather than...
31 January 2026Refund Policy In New Zealand: Returns, Exchanges And The Consumer Guarantees Act
If you sell products or services in New Zealand, you’ll eventually deal with a customer asking for a refund, exchange, repair, or store credit. And while it’s tempting to solve this with...
22 January 2026
How Can Your Business Avoid Misleading or Deceptive Conduct? (2026 Updated)
When you’re running a business, it’s easy to think “misleading or deceptive conduct” only happens when someone is intentionally dishonest. In reality, it often happens through small oversights - a promo that’s...
6 January 2025
Product Liability In New Zealand (2026 Updated)
If you sell products in New Zealand, product liability isn’t something to leave until “later”. One faulty batch, a misleading label, or a supplier issue can quickly turn into refunds, complaints, or...
6 January 2025
Is It Illegal To Delete Or Change Your Business’ Online Reviews? (2026 Updated)
Online reviews can make or break a small business in New Zealand. They’re often the first thing a customer sees when they Google you, scroll your socials, or compare you with a...
6 January 2025
Returns, Refunds and Exchanges: What Are Your Obligations? (2026 Updated)
You’ve made the sale, you’ve packed the order, and then the message comes through: “I want a refund.” If you run a business in New Zealand, returns and refunds can feel like...
6 January 2025
Displaying The Correct Advertised Price For Your Goods (2026 Updated)
Getting your pricing right sounds simple - until you’ve got in-store shelf labels, online listings, discount codes, “was/now” promos, marketplace fees, delivery charges, and staff updating prices across multiple systems. And if...
6 January 2025
How Can Your Business Comply With Consumer Guarantees? (2026 Updated)
If you sell products or services in New Zealand, consumer guarantees probably apply to you - even if you’re a tiny business, you sell online, or you only make sales “sometimes”. And...
6 January 2025
Customer Loyalty Programs: A Legal And Practical Overview (2026 Updated)
A great customer loyalty program can turn a one-off purchase into a long-term relationship. Done well, it helps you grow repeat business, learn what your customers love, and stand out in a...
6 January 2025
Recommended Retail Price: How Do You Know If Your Price Is Right? (2026 Updated)
Setting a price can feel like a guessing game. You don’t want to undercharge and burn out. But you also don’t want to overcharge and watch customers disappear (or worse, attract complaints...
6 January 2025What Is Greenwashing? (2026 Updated)
More and more customers in New Zealand want to buy from businesses that genuinely care about sustainability. That’s great news if you’ve invested in greener materials, cleaner supply chains, or lower-emissions operations....
6 January 2025
How To Deal With Negative Online Reviews (2026 Updated)
Negative online reviews can feel personal - especially when you’ve poured time, money and a lot of energy into building your business. But here’s the good news: with the right approach, a...
5 January 2025
Cancellation Fees For Services – How They Can Protect Your Small Business (2026 Updated)
If you run a service-based business, cancellations and no-shows can be more than “just annoying” - they can throw out your schedule, waste staff time, and seriously impact cash flow. A clear...
5 January 2025
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