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Weights and Measures Act 1987

Sale of goods by weight, measure, or number

15A: Weighing and measuring of goods sold by retail

You could also call this:

“Rules for weighing and measuring goods in shops”

When you want to buy goods by weight or measure from a shop, there are rules about how they should be weighed or measured. If the goods aren’t already packaged, the seller must weigh or measure them while you watch. If the goods are already packaged and were weighed or measured at the shop before being put out for sale, you can ask the seller to weigh or measure them again in front of you.

The weighing or measuring must happen before or when you buy the goods. The scales or measuring tool must be where you can easily see it, along with any weights needed and the weight or measurement shown. If the seller is doing the weighing or measuring, they must also be able to see everything clearly.

These rules are to make sure you know exactly what you’re buying. If a seller doesn’t follow these rules, they’re breaking the law.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM5859643.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > Consumer protection
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"Rules for counting items when you buy them"

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"It's against the law to give less than what someone paid for when selling things"

Part 3 Sale of goods by weight, measure, or number

15AWeighing and measuring of goods sold by retail

  1. This section applies if a person offers or exposes goods for retail sale by weight or measure.

  2. If the goods are not prepackaged when offered or exposed for sale, the person must ensure that the goods are weighed or measured, by or in the presence of the purchaser, in accordance with subsection (4).

  3. If the goods are prepackaged and weighed or measured at the premises or place where they are offered or exposed for sale before they are offered or exposed for sale, the person must, at the request of the purchaser, weigh or measure the goods in the presence of the purchaser in accordance with subsection (4).

  4. For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), the goods must be weighed or measured—

  5. before or at the time of sale; and
    1. using a weighing or measuring instrument that is situated where the purchaser can easily see that instrument, any necessary weights or measures, and the recorded or indicated weight or measurement of the goods; and
      1. if the goods are being weighed or measured by the seller, using a weighing or measuring instrument that is situated where the seller can easily see that instrument, any necessary weights or measures, and the recorded or indicated weight or measurement of the goods.

        1. A person who contravenes this section commits an offence.

        Notes
        • Section 15A: inserted, on , by section 11 of the Weights and Measures Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 145).
        • Section 15A(4)(c): inserted, on , by section 185 of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).