Business Law Library & Tracker

Consumer Law & Trading

Consumer rights, unfair terms, online sales, subscriptions and trading conduct.

Sources last reviewed 17 Aug 2026

Main law guides

158

Acts, regulations and codes worth reading first

Topics

60

Plain-English clusters

Published case explainers

97

Selected cases with a business lesson

Tracked updates

11

New, amended & reviewed

Plain-English explainers, not legal advice. Use the linked official source for section-level detail, and get advice for your situation.

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Main laws

Main lawNew Zealand

Commerce Act 1986

1986 No 5

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Consumer Law & TradingContracts & CommercialBusiness Sales & AcquisitionsCompetition, Cartels & Market ConductFranchising, Distribution & Dealerships
Main lawNew Zealand

Consumer Guarantees Act 1993

1993 No 91

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Consumer Law & TradingDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & Remedies
Main lawNew Zealand

Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003

2003 No 52

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Finance, Payments & SecurityConsumer Law & TradingAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsFinancial Services, Credit & Payments
Main lawNew Zealand

Fair Trading Act 1986

1986 No 121

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Consumer Law & TradingContracts & CommercialAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsStandards, Accreditation & Certification
Main lawNew Zealand

Human Rights Act 1993

1993 No 82

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Employment & WorkplaceConsumer Law & TradingAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsEquality, Discrimination & Accessibility
Main lawNew Zealand

Shop Trading Hours Act 1990

1990 No 57

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Consumer Law & TradingEmployment & WorkplaceWages, Leave & PayrollHospitality, Alcohol & Gambling
Main lawNew Zealand

Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003

2003 No 12

PriorityIn force10 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Consumer Law & TradingRegulatory ComplianceDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityLicences, Permits & RegistrationsRecords, Reporting & NotificationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFranchising, Distribution & DealershipsConsumer Complaints & Dispute Resolution
Main lawNew Zealand

Weights and Measures Act 1987

1987 No 15

PriorityIn force8 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Consumer Law & TradingRegulatory ComplianceAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsProduct Safety, Labelling & RecallsStandards, Accreditation & Certification
Main lawNew Zealand

Auctioneers Act 2013

2013 No 148

PriorityIn force7 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Consumer Law & TradingRegulatory ComplianceContractors & Worker StatusLicences, Permits & RegistrationsRecords, Reporting & NotificationsImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Main lawNew Zealand

Grocery Industry Competition Act 2023

2023 No 31

PriorityIn force14 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Consumer Law & TradingRegulatory ComplianceCompetition, Cartels & Market ConductRecords, Reporting & NotificationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesStandards, Accreditation & CertificationConsumer Complaints & Dispute Resolution
Main lawNew Zealand

Fuel Industry Act 2020

2020 No 60

PriorityIn force7 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Consumer Law & TradingRegulatory ComplianceCompetition, Cartels & Market ConductDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & ContentConsumer Complaints & Dispute Resolution
Main lawNew Zealand

Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001

2001 No 51

PriorityIn force9 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Consumer Law & TradingRegulatory ComplianceDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLiquidation & RestructuringLicences, Permits & RegistrationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesAgriculture, Farming & Rural BusinessImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & ContentAnimals, Food & Agricultural Products
Main lawNew Zealand

Defamation Act 1992

1992 No 105

PriorityIn force7 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Consumer Law & TradingRegulatory ComplianceDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & ContentWorkplace Investigations & Misconduct
Main lawNew Zealand

Trade (Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties) Act 1988

1988 No 158

PriorityIn force8 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Consumer Law & TradingRegulatory ComplianceImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs

Cases

High Court of New Zealand[2024] NZHC 71328 Mar 2024

Commerce Commission v Viagogo AG

A marketplace is responsible for the impression created by the whole customer journey. A technical disclosure, refund policy or later fee breakdown may not correct...

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Consumer Law & TradingDigital & EcommerceContracts & CommercialAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & Remedies
Court of Appeal of New Zealand[2020] NZCA 5499 Nov 2020

Commerce Commission v Steel & Tube Holdings Limited

A standards claim must be supported by the actual testing method, sample selection and certification chain. Repeating a supplier or laboratory statement is not...

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Consumer Law & TradingConstruction & TradesRegulatory ComplianceImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsNatural Hazards, Climate & ResilienceStandards, Accreditation & Certification
Supreme Court of New Zealand[2020] NZSC 252 Apr 2020

Lodge Real Estate Ltd v Commerce Commission

Competitors should not coordinate how they will pass on costs, set fees or respond to a supplier price change. Even informal industry discussions can create...

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Consumer Law & TradingRegulatory ComplianceCompetition, Cartels & Market Conduct
Supreme Court of New Zealand[2007] NZSC 3629 May 2007

Commerce Commission v Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd

For ordinary businesses, the practical lesson is not about dairy valuation theory. It is about how regulated pricing and supply obligations work in real life. If...

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Consumer Law & TradingShareholders & Company ControlLiquidation & RestructuringDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesAgriculture, Farming & Rural Business