Buying Furniture and Electrical Goods in New Zealand

New Zealand has very tough rules on what can and can’t be brought into the country. These rules are to protect the environment and its biodiversity. To save yourselves a fortune on shipping and possible fines due to contamination, why not buy your furniture and electrical goods when you arrive in New Zealand. Your beloved lounge suite might be far too big or too small for your new living space in New Zealand and your fridge may not fit in the allocated space in your new kitchen.

Electrical Goods
New Zealand has an excellent selection of international electrical goods. They may be a little more expensive than you’re used to but the choice is amazing and there’s always the option of buying second-hand electrical appliances.

Second-Hand Electrical Appliances
Second-hand electrical appliances cannot be sold in New Zealand unless they have been deemed safe. There should be a tag on the appliance which states the date of the inspection, plus the name of the person or company that did the inspection and tests. Items that are not suitable for use will have a warning label attached and probably have had the plug and/or supply chord moved.

Buyers have the same consumer rights when buying from a second-hand dealer as they would if they were buying a new product. This is not the case if you buy from a private person, then your come back on faulty goods is very limited. However, a private seller must also sell safe electrical appliances (Electricity Act).

New Electrical Appliances
New Zealand has household electrical appliances from all over the world, including Europe, Australia, Japan, the States and Canada. The big electrical retailers are always having sales, either in store or online. Most offer delivery at a small charge or ‘click and collect’ which is free. Retailers also offer extended warranties on their products, usually up to five years.

Until you have acquired a good credit rating, it’s doubtful that you’d be allowed to buy on store credit.

Furniture
New Zealand has many furniture stores, from Ikea and Target at the cheap end, to Matisse and Soren Liv at the high end of the market. There’s locally made furniture, and furniture which is imported from many countries around the globe. The selection is excellent.

There’s also a strong second-hand market in the furniture business, from cheap and cheerful stores, to stores that sell second-hand (or ‘pre-loved) designer furniture from around the world.

Again, new New Zealand residents will battle to get store credit until they’ve established a good credit rating and have been in the country for over 12 months.