What are my rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act for faulty goods?

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA), all goods sold to consumers in New Zealand must meet a guarantee of acceptable quality.

The guarantee of acceptable quality (s6) means goods must be:

• Fit for the purposes for which goods of that type are commonly supplied
• Acceptable in appearance and finish
• Free from minor defects
• Safe and durable

Your remedies when goods fail the guarantee (s18):

If the failure is minor:

• The supplier can choose to repair, replace, or refund
• You cannot demand a refund for a minor failure

If the failure is substantial (or cannot be repaired in reasonable time):

• You can choose to return the goods and get a full refund
• Or keep the goods and get compensation for the reduction in value

What counts as a "substantial failure":

• The goods would not have been bought if the buyer knew about the defect
• The goods are significantly different from description
• The goods cannot be used for their normal purpose

Manufacturer's warranty vs. CGA: Your CGA rights are separate from and additional to any manufacturer's warranty. A retailer cannot override your CGA rights by saying "it's out of warranty."

Time frame: The CGA does not specify a time limit — it depends on what is reasonable for the type of goods. A car should last longer than a kettle.

Source: Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 — View on legislation.govt.nz