On Wednesday 19 February, the Consumer Guarantees Act (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill (Bill) made it through its first reading, and has been referred to select committee, with submissions open until 3 April 2025.
Under the current Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA), manufacturers can opt-out of their obligations to repair/provide spare parts to consumers if the consumer is notified of this at the time the product is supplied. If passed, the Bill will amend the CGA to require manufacturers to provide repair parts/information to New Zealand consumers, encouraging them to repair rather than replace products.
The proposed legislation represents a blend of climate action, cost of living relief, and consumer rights protection, with a dual policy objective: (1) build a circular resource economy to combat climate change effects (ie by extending product lifespan keeping resources in circulation and waste out of landfills), and (2) strengthen consumers’ right to repair to alleviate current financial pressures for households.
The Bill is a members' bill sponsored by Hon. Marama Davidson (Green Party), who moved the first reading of the Bill early into her return to parliament after taking time off for cancer treatment. The referral of the Bill to select committee was supported by the Green Party, Labour, Te Pāti Māori, and New Zealand First (albeit that New Zealand First indicated that it would not necessarily support the Bill beyond the select committee stage).
Contact our competition and consumer team to learn more about the Bill, and if you need support on your submission.
This article was co-authored by Susie Kilty (partner), Anna Parker (special counsel), Emily Tyler (senior solicitor) and Georgia Callaghan (solicitor).
