The Gift Card Rules That Changed This Year

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A gift card tucked into a drawer can be easy to forget. Perhaps it was a birthday present for a favourite shop, a voucher for a restaurant you have not visited lately, or a digital card buried in an old email. Before assuming it has expired, take another look. New Zealand’s gift card rules changed in March 2026, giving buyers more time to use many newly purchased cards.

Since 16 March 2026, most gift cards and vouchers sold to consumers in New Zealand must have an expiry period of at least three years from the date of sale. The expiry information must also be displayed prominently, rather than hidden in small print. The rules cover eligible physical and digital gift cards. 

The change does not mean every card in your wallet now lasts three years. The new requirements apply to cards sold from 16 March 2026 onwards, so a gift card purchased before that date remains subject to its original expiry terms. Some types of cards are also excluded, including public transport top-ups, loyalty rewards, and vouchers for time-limited events. 

If you have a newer gift card, look for the expiry date on the card itself or in the email that delivered it. If a qualifying card bought after 16 March 2026 states an expiry period shorter than three years, that shorter term is void under the law. You can contact the retailer and ask them to honour the minimum period. If the business refuses, the Commerce Commission provides a way to report a concern. 

Older vouchers are still worth reviewing. Make a small list of any you have, note their expiry dates, and keep digital versions somewhere easy to find. If you are unsure whether a voucher is covered by the new rules, check the official Commerce Commission guidance before assuming it qualifies.

Remember that an unexpired gift card can still become unusable if the business closes, so leaving it untouched indefinitely is not ideal. If you received one as a present, consider treating it like money already set aside for a purchase rather than something to save for a distant occasion.

A quick look through your wallet and email inbox could uncover value you had forgotten about. The new rules offer more breathing room for many gift cards, but using them before they are lost or forgotten remains the simplest way to make the most of them.