Business: Legislation

Further Health and Safety information for small businesses from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Information to help workplaces manage COVID-19.

These work alongside "New Zealand Legislation (1995) Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995".

Replaces the "Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992".

WorkSafe New Zealand (WorkSafe) is the work health and safety regulator. Here it outlines business responsibilities.

Outlines what this legislation means for employees and employers.

The Principles and Rules set out in this Code are the standards expected in all advertising. Other ASA Codes may also be applicable and many sectors have their own specific advertising requirements – these must also be taken into account.

Resources that may help you find out more about the different laws that apply to employment relationships and how the Employment Relations Authority and the courts apply that law.

Case law and legislation in New Zealand

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment provides a Compliance Matters tool to find out the legal requirements a business must follow. You can tailor your search by topic — eg taxes, exporting or health and safety — or to suit your industry or business structure.

The Act seeks to promote and protect individual privacy. It is designed to give people a measure of control over personal information obtained or held about them by agencies. The principles: purpose and openness.

The Codes modify the Act in specific industries, agencies, activities or types of personal information

A tool for small to medium businesses to create a privacy statement which tells people how you will be using their information. New Zealand agencies are required by law to be transparent about how, when and why they collect personal information.

The table is a section-by-section breakdown of both Acts, showing the changes at a granular level.

The purpose of this Act is to contribute to a trading environment in which: (a) the interests of consumers are protected; and (b) businesses compete effectively; and (c) consumers and businesses participate confidently.
(2) To this end, the Act provides that consumers have: (a) certain guarantees when acquiring goods or services from a supplier, including: (i) that the goods are reasonably safe and fit for purpose and are otherwise of an acceptable quality; and
(ii) that the services are carried out with reasonable care and skill; and
(b) certain rights of redress against suppliers and manufacturers if goods or services fail to comply with a guarantee.

Outlines what a consumer is, what businesses this law applies to, how to comply Act and how to handle complaints.

The purpose of this Act is to contribute to a trading environment in which: (a) the interests of consumers are protected; and (b) businesses compete effectively; and (c) consumers and businesses participate confidently.
(2) To this end, the Act: (a) prohibits certain unfair conduct and practices in relation to trade; and (b) promotes fair conduct and practices in relation to trade; and (c) provides for the disclosure of consumer information relating to the supply of goods and services; and (d) promotes safety in respect of goods and services.

As a business, there are rules in the Fair Trading Act that apply to all aspects of promoting and selling goods and services – from advertising and pricing to sales techniques. This webpage explains your obligations.

How does the the Fair Trading Act and Consumer Guarantees Act apply to online transactions?