Services

Fair Trading
and Consumer

New Zealand’s consumer protection law framework

New Zealand has a wide range of laws designed to protect consumers. Much of this framework focuses on ensuring that consumers receive timely, accurate and adequate information, that goods and services are of acceptable quality and safe to use, and that vulnerable consumers are not taken advantage of.

A central piece of consumer protection legislation is the Fair Trading Act, which prohibits misleading and deceptive conduct in trade, unconscionable conduct, and unfair contract terms in certain standard‑form agreements. Breaches can result in significant penalties of up to $600,000 per offence for businesses and $200,000 per offence for individuals, as well as potential criminal liability.

Other key consumer protection laws include the Consumer Guarantees Act, the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act, and the Privacy Act. Consumers also benefit from specific protections relating to financial products and services under legislation such as the Financial Markets Conduct Act and the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act.

Expertise

Anna regularly advises clients on their rights and obligations under the Fair Trading Act and other consumer protection legislation. She also acts for clients involved in regulatory investigations concerning breaches of the Fair Trading Act and other consumer protection laws.

Services

Reviewing advertising, marketing, promotional material and sales practices for compliance with consumer protection laws
Advising on misleading or deceptive conduct, unsubstantiated representations and unconscionable conduct
Drafting and reviewing terms of trade and standard‑form consumer agreements
Assisting clients to resolve consumer complaints and manage product safety or recall issues
Acting for clients involved in investigations or enforcement action under consumer protection legislation
Delivering in‑person and online training on consumer law obligations