Business Law Library & Tracker

Debt Recovery, Guarantees & Security

Unpaid invoices, guarantees, secured credit and enforcement options.

Sources last reviewed 28 July 2026

Main law guides

157

Acts, regulations and codes worth reading first

Topics

60

Plain-English clusters

Published case explainers

96

Selected cases with a business lesson

Tracked updates

8

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

Animal Products Act 1999

1999 No 93

PriorityIn force11 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Food & Product ComplianceRegulatory ComplianceDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityLicences, Permits & RegistrationsRecords, Reporting & NotificationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsStandards, Accreditation & Certification
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

Personal Property Securities Act 1999

1999 No 126

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Finance, Payments & SecurityContracts & CommercialDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityLicences, Permits & Registrations
Main lawNew Zealand

Property Law Act 2007

2007 No 91

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Commercial Leases & PropertyContracts & CommercialCommercial Leases, Rent & OutgoingsDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Main lawNew Zealand

Insolvency Act 2006

2006 No 55

PriorityIn force12 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Insolvency & RestructuringRegulatory ComplianceDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLiquidation & RestructuringDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityConstruction Contracts & PaymentTelecommunications, Media & Content
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

Disputes Tribunal Act 1988

1988 No 110

PriorityIn force8 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Contracts & CommercialRegulatory ComplianceContractors & Worker StatusDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityRecords, Reporting & NotificationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsConsumer Complaints & Dispute Resolution
Main lawNew Zealand

Land Transfer Act 2017

2017 No 30

PriorityIn force8 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Commercial Leases & PropertyRegulatory ComplianceDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityLicences, Permits & RegistrationsDisputes, Enforcement & Remedies
Main lawNew Zealand

Farm Debt Mediation Act 2019

2019 No 73

PriorityIn force10 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Insolvency & RestructuringRegulatory ComplianceLiquidation & RestructuringDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsAgriculture, Farming & Rural BusinessTelecommunications, Media & Content
Main lawNew Zealand

Radiocommunications Act 1989

1989 No 148

PriorityIn force7 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Digital & EcommerceRegulatory ComplianceDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityLicences, Permits & RegistrationsDisputes, Enforcement & Remedies
Main lawNew Zealand

Insolvency (Cross-border) Act 2006

2006 No 57

PriorityIn force7 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Insolvency & RestructuringRegulatory ComplianceLiquidation & RestructuringDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityRecords, Reporting & NotificationsDisputes, Enforcement & Remedies
Main lawNew Zealand

Ship Registration Act 1992

1992 No 89

PriorityIn force10 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Regulatory ComplianceDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLiquidation & RestructuringDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityLicences, Permits & RegistrationsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsTransport, Shipping & Logistics
Main lawNew Zealand

Insurance Law Reform Act 1985

1985 No 117

PriorityIn force5 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Finance, Payments & SecurityRegulatory ComplianceDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & Claims

Cases

Employment Court of New Zealand[2026] NZEmpC 1061 Jan 2026

Rooney Farms Limited v Stewart

If your business is thinking about challenging an Employment Relations Authority determination, do not assume that challenge buys you time on payment. It does not....

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Employment & WorkplaceWages, Leave & PayrollDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesAgriculture, Farming & Rural BusinessTelecommunications, Media & Content
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
Supreme Court of New Zealand[2023] NZSC 11325 Aug 2023

Yan v Mainzeal Property and Construction Ltd (in liquidation)

Directors of a group company need evidence that promised support is real, sufficient and available when required. Comfort from a shareholder or related company is...

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Companies & StartupsInsolvency & RestructuringConstruction & TradesDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDirectors' Duties & GovernanceShareholders & Company ControlLiquidation & RestructuringDebt Recovery, Guarantees & Security
Supreme Court of New Zealand[2020] NZSC 10024 Sept 2020

Debut Homes Ltd (in liquidation) v Cooper

A controlled wind-down still needs a lawful creditor plan. Directors should not keep trading merely because completion may improve the net position if the plan...

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Companies & StartupsInsolvency & RestructuringDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLiquidation & RestructuringDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityTelecommunications, Media & Content
Supreme Court of New Zealand[2016] NZSC 611 June 2016

John Gilbert and QSM Trustees Limited (in receivership and in liquidation) v Body Corporate 162791

Read this case as a strong warning rather than a neat bright-line rule. Do not assume body corporate levies are just an old debt that stays with the owner company...

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Commercial Leases & PropertyDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesLiquidation & RestructuringDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & Payments
Supreme Court of New Zealand[2016] NZSC 5311 May 2016

Sportzone Motorcycles Limited (in liquidation) and Motor Trade Finances Limited v Commerce Commission

The practical lesson from this case is to build each fee from the event that triggers it. If a fee is charged when a loan is set up, the business should be able to...

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Dismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesShareholders & Company ControlLiquidation & RestructuringDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityLicences, Permits & RegistrationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Supreme Court of New Zealand[2013] NZSC 15622 Dec 2013

BFSL 2007 Ltd & Ors (In Liquidation) v Steigrad

If your business buys D&O or similar liability cover, do not assume the policy limit will be freely available both to defend the claim and to pay any eventual...

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Directors' Duties & GovernanceShareholders & Company ControlLiquidation & RestructuringDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & Claims