Website And Business Disclaimer Examples In New Zealand

If you run a small business, you’ve probably seen disclaimer text on websites, quotes, emails and social media bios - and wondered whether you need one too.

A well-drafted business disclaimer can help set expectations, reduce misunderstandings, and manage legal risk. But it’s not a magic shield, and it won’t override your obligations under New Zealand law.

This article is general information only and isn’t legal advice. If you need advice about your specific situation, you should speak to a lawyer.

In this guide, we’ll walk through what a business disclaimer is, when you should use one, what to include, and practical disclaimer examples you can adapt (with the right legal tailoring for your business).

What Is A Business Disclaimer (And What Can It Actually Do)?

A business disclaimer is a statement that clarifies the limits of what you’re offering, what you’re responsible for, and how people should use the information, products or services you provide.

Think of a disclaimer as a “boundary setting” tool. It can:

• Clarify what your business is (and isn’t) providing - e.g. general information only, not personalised advice.
• Reduce misunderstandings - so customers don’t assume promises you never made.
• Support your contracts and policies - by pointing users to the correct documents and rules.
• Help manage risk - especially for online content, service-based businesses, or higher-risk industries.

But it’s just as important to understand what a disclaimer can’t do.

In New Zealand, disclaimers generally cannot be used to “contract out” of certain legal obligations, particularly in consumer contexts. For example:

• Your advertising and sales conduct must comply with the Fair Trading Act 1986 (misleading or deceptive conduct is risky, even if you include disclaimer wording).
• When dealing with consumers, you may also have obligations under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. In many cases you can’t exclude those consumer guarantees - and even where contracting out may be possible in business-to-business situations, it generally needs to be done properly and clearly in your terms, not just in a website footer.
• If you collect personal information, you still need to comply with the Privacy Act 2020 - a disclaimer doesn’t replace a proper privacy approach, including a Privacy Policy.

So, the best approach is to treat your disclaimer as part of your overall legal foundations - alongside your contracts, policies, and day-to-day business processes.

When Should You Use A Business Disclaimer?

Not every small business needs pages of disclaimer text. But many businesses benefit from having at least a few tailored disclaimers in the places customers are likely to rely on what you say.

Here are some common situations where a business disclaimer is worth considering.

1) Your Website Contains Information People Might Rely On

If your website includes “how-to” content, tips, educational resources, calculators, templates, FAQs, or industry information, users may rely on it when making decisions.

A disclaimer can help you clarify that:

• your content is general information only
• it isn’t professional advice
• users should seek tailored advice for their situation

2) You Sell Products Online (Especially If You Have Limitations)

If you run an ecommerce store, disclaimers often show up on product pages. For example, where there are:

• product variations (colour, size, finish)
• compatibility requirements (parts, accessories, software)
• health or safety directions
• “results may vary” situations

This works best when paired with solid online terms. Depending on your setup, that might be Website Terms And Conditions or a broader Business Terms document.

3) You Provide Professional Or Specialist Services

Service providers (consultants, agencies, coaches, designers, developers, health/wellness providers and many others) often need disclaimers because the scope of work can be misunderstood.

Common examples include:

• “We don’t provide legal/tax/financial advice”
• “You’re responsible for implementing recommendations”
• “Timeframes are estimates only”

In most cases, a disclaimer should support - not replace - a proper Service Agreement setting out scope, deliverables, payment, limitations and liability.

4) You Use Social Media To Promote Your Business

Social media is fast-moving, and it’s easy for casual comments to be interpreted as promises.

If you post:

• testimonials and results
• pricing promotions
• health, fitness, financial or business tips
• comparisons with competitors

…a short disclaimer (and clear link to your website terms/policies) can help reduce risk. It won’t “fix” misleading advertising, but it can help clarify context and avoid misunderstandings.

5) You Send Marketing Emails Or Newsletters

Email disclaimers are common, but they’re often copied and pasted without much thought.

If you want an email disclaimer, it’s better for it to be short and relevant (for example, confidentiality/virus/liability limitations where appropriate). If you’re running email marketing, remember you also need to follow New Zealand’s anti-spam rules and make sure your messaging stays accurate and not misleading.

What Should A Business Disclaimer Include?

A good business disclaimer is specific enough to be useful, but simple enough that customers will actually read it.

What you include depends on your business model, where the disclaimer appears (website footer vs quote vs product page), and who your audience is (consumer vs business customer).

That said, most disclaimers fit into a few core building blocks.

1) The Purpose Of The Content Or Communication

Start by stating what the content is for, in plain language.

• Is it general information?
• Is it a guide?
• Is it a product description?
• Is it an estimated quote?

This helps you anchor the disclaimer to the context.

2) Any Clear Limits On Advice Or Responsibility

This is where you clarify what you’re not responsible for, or what you’re not providing.

For example:

• “This information is general in nature and doesn’t take into account your circumstances.”
• “You should get independent advice before acting on this information.”
• “We don’t guarantee specific outcomes.”

Be careful here: if you’re actually providing a service that includes advice, your disclaimer needs to be consistent with your service scope and customer expectations.

3) Accuracy, Updates And Third-Party Information

Websites change, laws change, pricing changes, suppliers discontinue products - and your content can become outdated.

If relevant, you might include a statement that:

• information is current as at a certain date
• you don’t guarantee completeness
• third-party links are provided for convenience and you don’t endorse them

4) Liability Limitations (Where Appropriate)

Liability limitation wording can be helpful, but it needs to be handled carefully.

In consumer situations, you may not be able to exclude certain responsibilities, and even in B2B situations, the wording must be fair and properly incorporated into your contract.

This is where tailoring matters. A disclaimer buried in a footer might not be enough - you often need it embedded into your core terms and agreed to at the right time (such as checkout, proposal acceptance, or onboarding).

5) A Link To Your Key Legal Documents

Disclaimers work best when they connect neatly with the rest of your legal setup.

Depending on your business, that might include:

• a Website Terms And Conditions page
• a Privacy Policy
• your Terms Of Trade (common for B2B supply/services)
• a signed Service Agreement (for client work)

The key is consistency - your disclaimer shouldn’t promise one thing while your contract says another.

Business Disclaimer Examples (Website, Products, Services, Social Media)

Below are practical examples of business disclaimer wording. These are not “one size fits all” (and you should avoid copying them word-for-word without checking they match your actual business model), but they’ll give you a strong starting point.

Website General Information Disclaimer Example

Example:

The information on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we take reasonable care to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, we make no representations or warranties of any kind about the completeness, reliability or suitability of this information. You should obtain independent advice before acting on any information on this website.

When it’s useful: blogs, guides, FAQs, educational resources, industry commentary.

Service-Based Business Disclaimer Example (Scope And Results)

Example:

Our services are provided based on the information you provide to us and your stated objectives. Any examples, projections or expected outcomes discussed are indicative only and results may vary depending on your circumstances and implementation. You remain responsible for your business decisions and actions taken based on our recommendations.

When it’s useful: consulting, coaching, agencies, marketing services, technical services, project-based work.

In most cases, this kind of disclaimer should sit alongside a clear written agreement (for example, a tailored Service Agreement) so your scope and liability settings are enforceable and not just “nice to have”.

Product Description Disclaimer Example (Colours, Variations, Availability)

Example:

Product images are for illustrative purposes only. Colours may vary depending on your screen settings and product batches. Product specifications and availability may change without notice.

When it’s useful: ecommerce stores, custom or handmade products, batch-made items, limited runs.

Health And Wellness Disclaimer Example (General Guidance Only)

Example:

Any health, fitness or wellness information provided by us (including on our website and social media channels) is general in nature and is not a substitute for medical advice. You should consult a qualified health professional before starting any new program, particularly if you have a medical condition, injury or concerns.

When it’s useful: fitness, nutrition, wellness services, online programs, content creators in health-related spaces.

Because this is a higher-risk category, it’s particularly important that your marketing stays accurate and doesn’t create unrealistic impressions - disclaimers help, but they don’t protect misleading claims.

Quote Or Estimate Disclaimer Example

Example:

This quote is an estimate only based on the information currently available and is subject to change if the scope, specifications, materials, site conditions or requirements change. Any changes will be discussed with you and must be approved before additional costs are incurred.

When it’s useful: trades, construction-adjacent services, custom manufacturing, projects where scope can change.

This usually works best where your broader payment, variation, and cancellation rules are set out in your Terms Of Trade (or your signed client agreement).

Social Media Disclaimer Example

Example:

Posts are general information only and may not be suitable for your circumstances. For tailored advice, please get in touch.

When it’s useful: Instagram/TikTok/Facebook/LinkedIn bios, pinned posts, recurring “tips” content.

Keep social media disclaimers short - people won’t read a paragraph in a bio - but make sure you back them up with clear website terms and accurate advertising.

Affiliate/Referral Disclaimer Example

Example:

Some links on this website may be affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe may be useful.

When it’s useful: content creators, bloggers, online businesses, comparison-style websites.

Common Mistakes Business Owners Make With Disclaimers

Disclaimers are often added late (or copied from somewhere else) when a business owner realises they “should probably have one”. That’s completely normal - but it can also create problems if the wording doesn’t match how your business actually operates.

Here are a few common pitfalls we see.

Using A Disclaimer To “Fix” Misleading Advertising

If your headline claim is misleading, small fine print won’t necessarily save you.

Under the Fair Trading Act 1986, the overall impression matters. So if you’re making strong claims about pricing, performance, results, availability, or urgency, you need to ensure your marketing is accurate upfront (and then use disclaimers to clarify details, not to contradict your main claim).

Relying On A Disclaimer Instead Of Proper Terms

A disclaimer is not a substitute for the core legal documents that govern your customer relationship.

If you’re selling online or offering services, you’ll usually want proper terms that cover things like payment, delivery, cancellations, intellectual property, liability, and disputes. A footer disclaimer won’t do that job on its own.

Copying A Template That Doesn’t Match NZ Law Or Your Business

Overseas disclaimers (or generic templates) can be a poor fit for New Zealand requirements - and even if they sound “legal”, they may not reflect your actual operations.

For example:

• they might reference laws that don’t apply in NZ
• they might overreach on liability exclusions
• they might conflict with your checkout or client onboarding process

It’s usually better to build a disclaimer around your real risks and customer interactions, and then align it with your contracts and policies.

Hiding The Disclaimer Where No One Will See It

Even a well-written disclaimer can be ineffective if it’s buried in a place customers never read.

As a general rule, disclaimers should appear:

• where the relevant content appears (e.g. on the page with the advice or product claim)
• before the customer acts on it (e.g. before purchase, before booking, before download)
• in the agreement itself where possible (so it’s clearly incorporated)

Key Takeaways

• A business disclaimer helps set expectations and manage legal risk, but it won’t automatically protect you if your conduct breaches New Zealand law.
• Disclaimers are most useful where customers might rely on your content, advice, product descriptions, quotes, or promotions (especially online).
• Strong disclaimers usually include the purpose of the content, limits on responsibility, accuracy/updates, and links to your core legal documents.
• Disclaimers should be consistent with your contracts and policies, such as your Website Terms And Conditions, Privacy Policy, Terms Of Trade or a signed Service Agreement.
• Be careful not to use disclaimers as a “patch” for misleading advertising - your marketing still needs to comply with the Fair Trading Act 1986 and (where relevant) consumer protection rules.
• If your business has higher risk (health, finance, technical advice, regulated areas), it’s worth getting your disclaimer wording tailored so it matches your real services and customer journey.

If you’d like help getting the right disclaimer wording in place (and making sure it actually fits with your terms, policies, and how you sell), we can help. Reach us at 0800 002 184 or team@sprintlaw.co.nz for a free, no-obligations chat.