Moving Service Contract (New Zealand)
Removals agreement — Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 compliant
MOVING SERVICE CONTRACT
This Moving Service Contract (the "Contract") is entered into on [Contract Date] between the removalist and the client named below. This Contract is governed by the laws of New Zealand, including the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017.
1. THE PARTIES
REMOVALIST: [Mover Name], of [Mover Address], telephone [Mover Phone], email [Mover Email] (the "Removalist").
CLIENT: [Client Name], telephone [Client Phone], email [Client Email] (the "Client").
2. MOVING SERVICES
Moving date: [Move Date]. Estimated start time: [Start Time].
Type of move: [Move Type].
Pickup address: [Pickup Address].
Delivery address: [Delivery Address].
Inventory of goods: [Inventory]
Special or high-value items: [Special Items]
Packing services included: [Packing Included]. Packing materials: [Packing Materials].
3. PRICE AND PAYMENT
Total price (incl. GST): NZD $[Total Price].
Payment terms: [Payment Terms]. Accepted payment methods: [Payment Method].
The Removalist will provide a GST tax invoice on completion of the move. If additional time or services are required beyond the scope of this Contract, additional charges will be discussed with and agreed by the Client before being incurred.
4. LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
The Removalist's liability for damage caused by its negligence is limited to NZD $[Liability Limit] unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Removalist is required to perform the moving service with reasonable care and skill as required by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
Insurance: [Insurance Details]
The Client must document the condition of all valuable items before the move and note any pre-existing damage on the inventory checklist at the time of collection. Claims for damage must be notified to the Removalist in writing within 3 working days of delivery.
5. CANCELLATION AND RESCHEDULING
[Cancellation Policy]
6. GENERAL
The Client must ensure clear access to both the pickup and delivery addresses on moving day. If access is not available and the move cannot proceed, the Removalist may charge a waiting fee. The Removalist is not liable for delays caused by traffic, weather, or circumstances beyond its reasonable control. This Contract is governed by the laws of New Zealand.
EXECUTION
SIGNED for and on behalf of the REMOVALIST: [Mover Name]
Authorised signatory: ____________________________
Date: [Contract Date]
SIGNED by the CLIENT: [Client Name]
Date: [Contract Date]
Removalist
________________
Signature
Client
________________
Signature
What Is a Moving Service Contract (New Zealand)?
A Moving Service Contract in New Zealand records the removal and moving work to be provided, the fees, the service standards, and each party's obligations between the provider and the client. The agreement is governed by the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 and, where services are supplied to a consumer, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
The Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 (CCLA) governs the formation, interpretation, and enforcement of Moving Service Contracts in New Zealand. The CCLA consolidates New Zealand's general contract law and provides the legal framework for commercial contracts including removal and relocation services. Every moving contract must satisfy the basic requirements of an enforceable contract: offer and acceptance, consideration, and certainty of terms.
New Zealand's removal industry is not subject to a dedicated licensing regime, meaning any person or company can legally offer removal services. This makes a carefully drafted written contract all the more important. Without a written Moving Service Contract, disputes about pricing, damage liability, access requirements, and cancellation terms are significantly harder to resolve. The written contract provides the primary evidence in any claim before the Disputes Tribunal (under the Disputes Tribunal Act 1988), which handles civil disputes up to NZD $30,000, or the District Court of New Zealand for larger claims.
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 is the key consumer protection statute for moving services in New Zealand. Section 28 requires the service to be performed with reasonable care and skill. Section 29 requires the service to be fit for any particular purpose the consumer made known. Section 30 requires completion within a reasonable time. Where a failure is of substantial character — for example, the removalist fails to arrive, loses significant goods, or causes major damage — the consumer may cancel and claim a full refund under section 37. The Fair Trading Act 1986, enforced by the Commerce Commission, prohibits misleading claims about insurance coverage, liability limitations, or service capabilities.
A Moving Service Contract in New Zealand should also address GST at 15% under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985, specifying whether the quoted price is inclusive or exclusive of GST. The NZBN (New Zealand Business Number) of the removals company should be recorded for identification and invoicing purposes. For high-value moves — including antiques, artworks, and specialist equipment — the contract should address specialist packing requirements, insurance valuation, and the applicable standard of care. The forms-legal.com Moving Service Contract (New Zealand) provides a thorough template that meets all applicable New Zealand legal requirements.
When Do You Need a Moving Service Contract (New Zealand)?
A Moving Service Contract is needed whenever a client engages a removals company in New Zealand to transport goods from one address to another. The contract should be signed before the move commences, on a date that allows both parties sufficient time to review the terms and raise any concerns about scope, pricing, or access.
For residential moves, a written contract is essential when: a homeowner or tenant is relocating from one house or apartment to another; a tenant is vacating a rental property at the end of a tenancy under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986; a household has high-value goods including antiques, artworks, pianos, or specialised equipment requiring careful handling; the move involves a significant distance, such as an inter-island move between the North Island and South Island of New Zealand; or the move involves temporary storage at the removalist's facility before delivery to the final destination.
For commercial moves, a Moving Service Contract is required when: a business is relocating its offices, warehouse, or retail premises; the move involves the transport of commercial equipment, IT infrastructure, or sensitive documents; the client requires a phased move conducted over multiple days; or the client needs the removalist to provide packing services in addition to transport.
A written Moving Service Contract is particularly important in New Zealand because the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 applies to all consumer removal services, but the extent of the removalist's liability for damage can be modified by a well-drafted contract. Under section 43 of the CGA, B2B parties may agree to contract out of the consumer guarantees in writing where it is fair and reasonable to do so. A written contract provides the framework for any such B2B contracting-out arrangement.
The contract is also necessary to define the insurance arrangements. Most New Zealand removalists carry transit insurance, but the policy limits, excesses, and exclusions vary significantly. A written contract must clearly state what is and is not covered by the removalist's insurance, so the client can decide whether to take out additional moving insurance for valuable items. The Disputes Tribunal and Commerce Commission are the primary enforcement bodies for disputes arising from removal services in New Zealand.
What to Include in Your Moving Service Contract (New Zealand)
A thorough New Zealand Moving Service Contract must include the following key elements to comply with the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017, and Fair Trading Act 1986.
Party identification: Full legal name of the removals company, NZBN, GST registration number, and contact details. Full name and contact details of the client. If the removals company is a limited liability company registered under the Companies Act 1993, the Companies Office registration number should also be recorded.
Moving date and time: The agreed date and time for the removalist to arrive at the pickup address. If the move is to be conducted over more than one day, all relevant dates should be recorded. Any access window restrictions at the pickup or delivery address — for example, body corporate rules limiting move-in times for apartments — should be noted.
Pickup and delivery addresses: Full street addresses for both the origin and destination. Any access restrictions, parking limitations, or building access requirements that may affect the removalist's ability to complete the move should be described in detail.
Scope of services: A clear description of all services included — packing, loading, transport, unloading, unpacking, furniture assembly, appliance connection, and disposal of packing materials. Any items excluded from the scope (such as plants, hazardous materials, or items the client will transport personally) should be listed.
Inventory of goods: A complete inventory of all furniture, whiteware, electrical items, and other goods to be transported. Pre-existing damage to any item should be noted on the inventory, which should be signed by both parties before loading commences. This inventory is the primary evidence in any subsequent damage claim.
Price and GST: The total price in NZD, whether inclusive or exclusive of GST at 15% under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985, the deposit amount and due date, and the balance payment terms. Any additional charges for stairs, long carry distances, or specialist equipment should be stated.
Liability for damage and insurance: The removalist's liability for damage to goods during the move, any monetary cap on liability, and the scope of the removalist's transit insurance policy (carrier, policy number, limits, excesses, and exclusions). The client's obligation to declare the value of any high-value items and to obtain their own insurance if the removalist's cover is insufficient.
Cancellation policy: The notice period required to cancel the contract without penalty, any cancellation fees applicable for late cancellation, and the parties' rights if the move must be postponed due to weather, access problems, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Dispute resolution: Reference to the Disputes Tribunal (Disputes Tribunal Act 1988) for claims up to NZD $30,000, the District Court of New Zealand for larger claims, and the Commerce Commission (www.comcom.govt.nz) for Fair Trading Act complaints about misleading conduct. The forms-legal.com Moving Service Contract (New Zealand) provides a ready-to-use template covering all these key elements.
Cite this page
Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Moving Service Contract (New Zealand) (New Zealand) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/new-zealand/business/services/service-contract-moving-new-zealand
"Moving Service Contract (New Zealand) (New Zealand)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/new-zealand/business/services/service-contract-moving-new-zealand.
@misc{formslegal-service-contract-moving-new-zealand,
author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Moving Service Contract (New Zealand) (New Zealand)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/new-zealand/business/services/service-contract-moving-new-zealand}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017; Consumer Guarantees Act 1993}
}
Frequently Asked Questions
In New Zealand, a removalist providing a moving service to a consumer is subject to the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA), which requires the service to be performed with reasonable care and skill under section 28. If goods are damaged due to the removalist's negligence or failure to take reasonable care, the removalist may be liable under the CGA. Where the failure is of a substantial character — meaning a reasonable consumer would not have engaged the service had they known about the problem — the consumer may cancel and claim a full refund under section 37 of the CGA. Most moving contracts include liability limitations, and the extent of liability depends on the contract terms. The removalist's own transit insurance may cover some damage, but often has excesses and exclusions. Clients should consider taking out their own moving insurance for valuable items. Under the Fair Trading Act 1986, removalists cannot make misleading claims about their insurance coverage or liability. Clients should document the condition of all valuable items before the move and note any pre-existing damage on the inventory checklist.
While a written contract is not mandated by any specific statute for removal services in New Zealand, it is strongly advisable for any residential or commercial move. A written Moving Service Contract establishes clear terms for the price in NZD, scope of services, moving date, liability for damaged or lost goods, and cancellation conditions. Without a written agreement, disputes about pricing, liability for damage, and access requirements are much harder to resolve. Under the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 (CCLA), which consolidates New Zealand's general contract law, oral contracts are enforceable but difficult to prove. If the moving service is provided to a consumer, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 applies regardless of whether a written contract exists — meaning the removalist must perform the service with reasonable care and skill and within a reasonable time. However, a written contract allows both parties to agree on limitations of liability, insurance arrangements, and dispute resolution procedures in advance. For commercial moves, a written contract also provides a clear basis for insurance claims and helps define responsibility for access issues at the pickup or delivery address.
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA) applies to moving and removal services provided to consumers in New Zealand. Under section 28, the removalist must carry out the service with reasonable care and skill — meaning they must pack, load, transport, and unload goods with the standard of care that a competent removalist would apply. Under section 29, the service must be fit for any particular purpose the consumer made known to the removalist — for example, if the consumer told the removalist that certain items were fragile antiques requiring specialist handling, the service must meet that purpose. Under section 30, the service must be completed within a reasonable time if no specific date was agreed. If the removalist fails to meet any of these guarantees, the consumer is entitled to a remedy — either requiring the removalist to re-perform the service, or cancelling the contract and receiving a refund (for a failure of substantial character under section 37). The Fair Trading Act 1986, enforced by the Commerce Commission, also prohibits removal companies from making misleading claims about their insurance, liability, or capabilities. Disputes that cannot be resolved directly can be referred to the Disputes Tribunal for claims up to NZD $30,000.
A moving inventory checklist is an essential part of any New Zealand Moving Service Contract. It creates a written record of all goods being transported and their pre-move condition, which is critical for any subsequent insurance or damage claim. The inventory should list every item of furniture, whiteware, electrical equipment, and boxed goods to be moved, organised by room or category. For valuable items — including antiques, artworks, electronics, and jewellery — the pre-existing condition should be described in detail and photographs taken before loading. Any pre-existing damage must be noted on the inventory so it cannot later be attributed to the removalist. The inventory should be signed by both the removalist and the client before the move commences. At the destination, the client should check each item against the inventory as it is unloaded and note any damage or missing items on the delivery receipt before signing off. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, a client who notices damage at delivery should raise it with the removalist immediately and in writing. If the removalist disputes liability, the signed inventory and photographs provide the primary evidence for a Disputes Tribunal claim.
Cancellation rights under a New Zealand Moving Service Contract depend on the terms of the contract and the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. If the consumer cancels before the move date for a change of mind, the contract may allow the removalist to retain a deposit or charge a cancellation fee — provided that fee is a genuine pre-estimate of the removalist's loss and is not unconscionable under the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017. Typically, cancellations within 48–72 hours of the moving date may attract a higher cancellation fee than cancellations made well in advance. If the removalist cancels or fails to attend on the agreed date, the consumer is entitled to a full refund and may claim additional costs caused by the cancellation, such as storage fees or alternative accommodation. Under section 37 of the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, where there is a failure of substantial character — such as the removalist failing to show up, losing goods, or causing significant damage — the consumer may cancel the contract and obtain a full refund regardless of any contractual limitation. The Disputes Tribunal (under the Disputes Tribunal Act 1988) provides an accessible forum for resolving cancellation disputes for claims up to NZD $30,000 without requiring legal representation.
Yes. The Fair Trading Act 1986 (FTA) applies to all removal companies operating in New Zealand that provide services in trade. The FTA prohibits misleading and deceptive conduct, false representations, and unfair trading practices. Removal companies must not make false claims about their transit insurance coverage, their experience or capabilities, the qualifications of their staff, or the scope of their liability. For example, a removalist who advertises 'full insurance cover for all goods' but actually provides only limited transit insurance with significant exclusions may be engaging in misleading conduct under the FTA. The Commerce Commission, which enforces the FTA, can take enforcement action and seek civil pecuniary penalties. The FTA also requires that any limitations of liability or exclusion clauses in the Moving Service Contract are not presented in a misleading way. Consumers who believe a removalist has engaged in misleading conduct can report the matter to the Commerce Commission at www.comcom.govt.nz. For individual disputes about liability for damage or loss, the Disputes Tribunal or District Court of New Zealand provides the primary forum for resolution.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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