Consumer Law Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on consumer law for new zealand businesses.
Are Service Charges Mandatory in NZ Hospitality and Retail?
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 2026
Acceptable Quality Under NZ Consumer Guarantees Act
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 2026
Accepting 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 2026
Refund 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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