Introduction
Major changes to the Fair Trading Act, Consumer Guarantees Act
and four other important pieces of consumer legislation will have
an effect on every business or individual who is buying or selling
goods and services in New Zealand –including individuals who
trade via Trademe.
It is important that you understand what these changes mean for
you.
Purpose
The law reform was designed to update consumer law in New
Zealand and to harmonise it with Australian law. The changes are
intended to provide stronger consumer protection so that consumers
can trade with greater confidence and to promote competition,
innovation and growth.
What laws are changing?
There are significant changes to the Fair Trading Act 1986 and
Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. There are also changes to the
Carriage of Goods Act, Weights and Measures Act, Secondhand Dealers
and Pawnbrokers Act as well as a new Auctioneers Act.