How long does a warranty last in New Zealand?
For "a reasonable time". Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, goods you buy from a business in New Zealand must last a reasonable time, and there is no fixed number of years. What counts as reasonable depends on the item, its price and how it was used.
That makes the Act different from a manufacturer's warranty, and in one way better: it keeps going after the warranty ends. Consumer Protection puts it plainly: "Your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act still apply once any other warranties expire."
Three kinds of cover
| What it is | How long | |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Guarantees Act | Automatic legal rights against the business that sold it to you | A reasonable time, with no fixed period |
| Manufacturer's warranty | The maker's promise to repair or replace faults | A set period, often a year or two |
| Extended warranty | An agreement you pay for, with a warrantor | Whatever the agreement says |
A manufacturer's or extended warranty should add to your legal rights. A business cannot limit its obligations under the Act to the terms of its own warranty.
What "a reasonable time" means in practice
The Act asks how long a reasonable consumer would expect the item to last, taking into account:
- what it is. A washing machine is expected to last years; a pair of jandals, a summer.
- what it cost. A premium model is expected to last longer than the cheapest one on the shelf.
- how it was used. Normal wear and tear is not a fault, and misuse is not covered.
So a $2,000 fridge that stops cooling at two and a half years, just outside a two-year manufacturer's warranty, may well still be covered. A budget appliance failing at the same age is a harder case. Neither answer is written down anywhere, which is why the receipt, showing what you paid and when, carries so much weight.
Extended warranties
Consumer Protection's advice is blunt: "In most circumstances, buying an extended warranty probably isn't worth the cost." The Consumer Guarantees Act already covers the item for a reasonable time.
If you do buy one, the Fair Trading Act gives you two protections:
- Information in writing, including the price, the terms, how it compares with your Consumer Guarantees Act rights, and how to cancel.
- A cooling-off period. You can cancel within 5 working days of being given a copy of the warranty, by telling the seller verbally or in writing, and get a full refund.
Making a claim
- Go to the business that sold it. Your rights under the Act are against the retailer, whatever the manufacturer's warranty says.
- Bring proof of purchase. A receipt is easiest; a bank or card statement, order email or contract also counts. See what counts as proof of purchase.
- Describe the fault and when it started. Say that you are asking under the Consumer Guarantees Act, and whether you think the failure is minor or substantial.
- Put it in writing if the business refuses, and escalate through Consumer Protection's complaint steps or the Disputes Tribunal.
The Act does not cover items bought from private sellers, including through Trade Me, Marketplace or at an auction.
Sources
Common questions
How long is the warranty under the Consumer Guarantees Act?
There is no fixed period. Goods must last a reasonable time, which depends on what they are, what they cost and how they were used. A fridge is expected to last longer than a phone charger.
Do my rights end when the manufacturer's warranty expires?
No. Consumer Protection says your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act still apply once any other warranties expire. A fault that appears after a one-year warranty can still be covered if the item has not lasted a reasonable time.
Is an extended warranty worth buying?
Usually not. Consumer Protection says in most circumstances an extended warranty probably isn't worth the cost, because the Consumer Guarantees Act already protects you. It is worth it only if it gives you something the law does not.
Can I cancel an extended warranty?
Yes. You can cancel an extended warranty for a full refund by giving notice, verbally or in writing, within five working days of being given a copy of it.
Who do I claim against: the shop or the manufacturer?
Start with the business that sold it to you. The Consumer Guarantees Act gives you rights against the retailer, whatever the manufacturer's warranty says.
Keep reading
Can you return something without a receipt in New Zealand?
For faulty goods, yes: the Consumer Guarantees Act needs proof of purchase, not a receipt. Change-of-mind returns are up to the shop's own policy.
ReadWhat counts as proof of purchase in New Zealand?
A receipt is the easiest, not the only, proof. Bank statements, email confirmations and contracts all count under the Consumer Guarantees Act.
ReadHow to track renovation costs in New Zealand (and why the receipts matter)
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