ABSTRACT
New Zealand has a diverse and globally connected consumer market. Consumer spending has increased off the back of rising gross domestic product (GDP) growth, employment and household incomes. NZ consumers exhibit high use of social media, and many purchasing decisions are now found in the online sphere. Individual enforcement is the Achilles' heel of New Zealand consumer law. Legal aid is only available to those earning less than the average wage and, for civil as opposed to criminal matters, only the poorest members of society qualify for assistance. The most effective way for an individual to enforce legal rights is to bring a claim under the Disputes Tribunals Act 1988. There are some specialised tribunals but, apart from the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal, these do not deal with the sale of goods. New Zealand has seen recent changes to consumer law, the most notable concerning unfair contract terms in standard form agreements.
