Consumer Law Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on consumer law for new zealand businesses.
When Can NZ Businesses Charge A Cancellation Fee?
Cancellations are a normal part of doing business in New Zealand - but they can also be expensive. If you run a small business (especially one that books out time, staff, or...
10 July 2026
When Are Non-Refundable Deposits Legal In New Zealand?
If you run a small business, deposits can be a lifeline for cash flow and a practical way to protect your time, stock, and booking schedule. But describing something as a “non-refundable...
9 July 2026
Recommended Retail Price (RRP) Rules in New Zealand
If you sell products in New Zealand (whether you’re supplying stock to retailers, running an online store, or operating a bricks-and-mortar shop), you’ve probably seen “RRP” pop up in supplier catalogues, wholesale...
28 June 2026
Surcharge Fees In New Zealand: What Businesses Can And Can’t Charge
If you run a small business, surcharge fees can feel like a simple way to cover rising costs (like payment processing, staffing, or admin time) without constantly increasing your headline prices. But...
23 June 2026Seller Delivery Obligations Under The Consumer Guarantees Act In NZ
Delivery is one of those parts of running a business that feels “operational” rather than “legal” - until something goes wrong. A courier loses a parcel, a customer says their order never...
15 June 2026
Sale Of Goods Act Vs Consumer Guarantees Act In NZ: Key Protections
If you sell products in New Zealand (whether you’re a retailer, wholesaler, manufacturer, or eCommerce business), the law is doing a lot of “behind-the-scenes” work in your customer and supplier relationships. Two...
14 June 2026Scam Alert: NZBN, Companies Office And Renewal Fee Scams
If you run a small business in New Zealand, you’ve probably had a moment where you’ve opened your inbox and thought: “Is this real… or is this a scam?” Unfortunately, “renewal” notices...
13 June 2026
Right To Repair In New Zealand: Key Rules For NZ Small Businesses
If you sell products in New Zealand (especially electronics, appliances, tools, equipment, or anything with a battery or moving parts), you’ve probably seen customers asking for repairs instead of replacements - or...
13 June 2026
Right To Refuse Service In New Zealand: Business Legal Guidelines
Most small business owners eventually face a tricky situation where you’re wondering: can we refuse service? Maybe a customer is being abusive to staff. Maybe someone appears intoxicated. Maybe a client keeps...
13 June 2026
Refund Policy Template NZ: Compliance Requirements For Businesses
If you sell products or services in New Zealand, you’ve probably had this moment: a customer asks for a refund, and you realise you’re not 100% sure what you have to offer...
11 June 2026
Public Holiday Surcharges In NZ Cafes And Restaurants
If you run a cafe, bar or restaurant in New Zealand, public holidays can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you can see a surge in customers (especially in holiday...
9 June 2026
NZ Returns And Refunds Policy Requirements For Online Retailers
If you run an online store, you’ve probably had this moment: a customer emails saying “I want a refund” and you’re thinking, “Sure… but are we actually required to do that?” This...
31 May 2026
NZ Gift Card Refund And Expiry Rules For Businesses
Gift cards can be a win-win for small businesses. They bring cashflow in upfront, they’re popular around holidays and birthdays, and they’re a great way to turn a “maybe later” customer into...
30 May 2026Not Fit For Purpose In New Zealand: CGA Obligations For Businesses
If you sell goods or services to customers in New Zealand, you’ve probably had a customer say something like: “This isn’t what I bought it for” or “It’s not fit for purpose.”...
28 May 2026
NZ Raffle and Prize Draw Laws for Businesses
Running a raffle or prize draw can be a great way to build buzz, grow your email list, move stock, or support a cause your customers care about. But in New Zealand,...
27 May 2026
No Refund Policies In New Zealand: What Businesses Can And Can’t Do
“No refund policy” signs can feel like a simple way to protect your cashflow and avoid difficult customer conversations. But in New Zealand, refund rules aren’t something you can opt out of...
26 May 2026
Legal Requirements For Free-to-Enter Competitions In New Zealand
Free-to-enter competitions can be a great way to build your brand, grow your email list, drive foot traffic, and reward loyal customers. But even when you’re not charging an entry fee, you...
16 May 2026
Legal Requirements For Accepting Credit Card Payments In New Zealand
If you’re running a small business in New Zealand, accepting credit card payments can feel like a no-brainer. Customers expect it, it speeds up checkout, and it can help you increase sales....
16 May 2026Legal Options For Fake Google Reviews In NZ Businesses
Few things are more frustrating for a small business owner than waking up to a sudden drop in your star rating - especially when you suspect the reviews aren’t genuine. Fake Google...
15 May 2026Late Payment Fees In New Zealand: What Businesses Can Legally Charge
Late payments are one of the quickest ways to turn a profitable month into a stressful one. You’ve done the work, delivered the product, paid your suppliers and staff - and then...
12 May 2026
How To Charge And Enforce Cancellation Fees Lawfully In New Zealand
You’ve booked staff, set aside stock, blocked out your calendar, and turned away other work - then the customer cancels at the last minute. If you’re running a small business, this isn’t...
23 April 2026How NZ Businesses Can Respond To Bad Online Reviews
Bad online reviews can feel brutal when you’re a small business owner. One negative comment can pop up at the top of search results, scare off new customers, and put your team...
19 April 2026
How Long Should A Refund Take Under New Zealand’s CGA & Fair Trading Act?
Refund requests are one of those “day-to-day” moments that can quickly turn into a bigger issue for a small business. A customer might be perfectly reasonable - or they might be frustrated,...
18 April 2026Handling Google Review Disputes In New Zealand
If you run a small business in New Zealand, you’ve probably felt it: one unfair online review can undo months of hard work. Sometimes the review is genuinely negative (and you can...
15 April 2026
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