Review of consumer law 2010-2015

This page summarises the review of consumer laws that took place between 2010 and 2015.

The purpose of the law reform

Changes were made to consumer laws to help consumers transact with confidence and support honest business practices. This was with the aim of promoting competition, innovation and sustained growth.

The specific objectives of the reform were to:

  • strengthen consumers’ rights
  • protect suppliers and consumers from inappropriate market conduct
  • make consumer law more accessible and understandable for both consumers and businesses
  • simplify business compliance
  • create more effective and enforceable consumer laws
  • better align New Zealand and Australian consumer law.

The law changes took effect between 2013 and 2015.

What laws were reviewed

The following laws were reviewed:

  • Consumer Guarantees Act 1993
  • Fair Trading Act 1986
  • Weights and Measures Act 1987
  • Carriage of Goods Act 1979
  • Sale of Goods Act 1908
  • Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 2004
  • Auctioneers Act 1928
  • Door to Door Sales Act 1967
  • Layby Sales Act 1971
  • Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1975.

What Acts were created

Law changes were included in the Consumer Law Reform Bill, which was split into the following 6 main Acts:

  • Fair Trading Amendment Act 2013
  • Consumer Guarantees Amendment Act 2013
  • Weights and Measures Amendment Act 2013
  • Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Amendment Act 2013
  • Carriage of Goods Amendment Act 2013
  • Auctioneers Act 2013.

What Acts were repealed

The following Acts were repealed and content included in either the new Auctioneers Act or in the Fair Trading Act:

  • Door to Door Sales Act 1967
  • Layby Sales Act 1971
  • Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1975
  • Auctioneers Act 1928.