Guide · New Zealand
Website legal requirements in New Zealand
A New Zealand business website or app may need to follow privacy, consumer and tax rules. The Privacy Act 2020 governs how agencies handle personal information. Online traders must identify themselves as traders and avoid misleading buyers. Consumer guarantees apply to goods and services, while GST registration depends on turnover. Commercial electronic messages need consent, sender information and an unsubscribe facility. Some government suppliers also need to be able to issue e-invoices.
Checked against official sources on 5 November 2026. General information, not legal advice: confirm the rules that apply to your business with an adviser.
What privacy rules apply to your website or app?
The Privacy Act 2020 sets out information privacy principles governing how agencies collect, store, use and share personal information. Plan your forms and data storage around those principles. The Privacy Commissioner can also issue codes of practice that become part of the law.
Information privacy principle 3A, added by the Privacy Amendment Act 2025 and in force since 1 May 2026, applies when an agency collects personal information from someone other than the individual. The agency must take reasonable steps to make the individual aware of specified matters, unless an exception applies. Account for this when planning how your site or app receives personal information from others.
What must your online shop tell buyers?
The Fair Trading Act 1986 prohibits misleading and deceptive conduct. Online sellers who operate as traders must make that clear to potential buyers. Make your trader status clear on the site and check that your sales content is not misleading. The Commerce Commission enforces the Act.
What GST and invoicing rules affect online sales?
A business carrying out a taxable activity in New Zealand must register for GST if its turnover reached $60,000 over the last 12 months or is expected to over the next 12 months. Account for your registration position when planning your online sales and checkout.
Under Rule 44 of New Zealand's Government Procurement Rules, large suppliers transacting with in-scope government agencies will need to be able to issue e-invoices by 1 January 2027. If this applies to you, account for e-invoicing in your sales systems. New Zealand has no general business-to-business e-invoicing mandate.
Can you use open banking for website payments?
New Zealand's regulated open banking regime under the Customer and Product Data Act 2025 began on 1 December 2025. If you are considering open banking payments, account for the participating banks' readiness when planning checkout: ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac were required to have systems ready from that date, and Kiwibank was given until June 2026 for payments.
Who administers a .nz website address?
InternetNZ administers the .nz domain. Its subsidiary, the Domain Name Commission Limited (DNCL), handles oversight and dispute resolution. Keep this in mind if you choose a .nz address for your site.
What should be on your New Zealand website checklist?
Plan commercial electronic messages as well as the site. The Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007 requires consent, accurate information about who authorised the messages and a functional unsubscribe facility.
- Plan how forms collect, store, use and share personal information.
- Account for personal information received from someone other than the individual.
- Make your trader status clear to potential buyers.
- Check sales content for misleading or deceptive claims.
- Account for your GST registration position at checkout.
- Plan e-invoicing if the government supplier rule applies to you.
- Check participating banks' readiness if you plan to use open banking payments.
- Consider a .nz address when planning your domain.
Questions
Do I have to report a privacy breach?
You must notify the Privacy Commissioner and affected people as soon as you are practically able if the breach has caused or is likely to cause anyone serious harm. This requirement comes from the Privacy Act 2020.
Do consumer guarantees apply to my online sales?
Yes. The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 gives consumers automatic guarantees when they buy goods or services from a business in New Zealand, and a business cannot contract out of it when selling to consumers.
What GST rate applies to most online sales?
New Zealand's goods and services tax (GST) is charged at a rate of 15% on most goods and services, including imports.
Can a New Zealand business use Stripe?
Yes. Stripe lists New Zealand among the countries where it supports businesses.