Consumer Guarantees

The Consumer Guarantees Act sets out a series of guarantees which apply to all sales to consumers of goods or services in New Zealand of a type ordinarily acquired for personal or household use.

The guarantees create a minimum standard of quality that businesses selling such goods or services must meet, including:

(a) being of acceptable quality;


(b) being fit for a particular purpose (when the consumer has informed the supplier about that purpose);


(c) matching a description;


(d) ensuring spare parts are available;


(e) complying with a sample or demonstration model (where relevant); and


(f) timely delivery.

A consumer may seek redress from either the supplier or manufacturer of goods or services that do not meet the statutory guarantees. Suppliers of goods or services cannot contract out of the Consumer Guarantees Act unless goods or services are being sold for business purposes.