How New Zealand law protects you when you speak with a psychic

New Zealand, like Australia, does not have a licensing regime for psychics, mediums or spiritual advisers. There is no professional register, no mandatory training requirement, and no industry-specific legislation. What New Zealand does have is a robust consumer protection framework — anchored by the Fair Trading Act 1986 and the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 — that applies to psychic services in the same way it applies to any other paid service.

The Fair Trading Act 1986

The Fair Trading Act (FTA) is New Zealand’s primary law against misleading and deceptive business conduct. It is enforced by the Commerce Commission and applies to every person and business operating in trade, including psychic service providers who sell readings to New Zealand consumers — regardless of whether the provider is based in New Zealand or overseas.

Misleading and deceptive conduct (Section 9)

It is illegal for any business to engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive, or is likely to mislead or deceive. For a psychic service, this means advertising cannot promise guaranteed outcomes, imply medical or legal authority, or create a false impression of what the service can deliver.

False or misleading representations (Section 13)

The FTA specifically prohibits false claims about the nature, characteristics, suitability or quantity of services. A psychic service that claims it “will” solve a specific problem, or that a particular psychic has qualifications or endorsements they do not hold, is potentially in breach.

Unsubstantiated representations (Section 12A)

Traders must not make representations about goods or services that they cannot substantiate at the time the representation is made. This provision is particularly relevant to psychic advertising — broad claims about accuracy rates or success stories must be supportable.

Unconscionable conduct (Part 1A)

Introduced in 2022, this provision prohibits conduct that is so harsh or oppressive that it goes against good conscience. Courts consider factors such as the vulnerability of the consumer, the relative bargaining power of the parties, and whether the consumer was subject to undue influence.

The New Zealand Government is currently increasing penalties under the FTA. Maximum fines for individuals are rising from $10,000 to $60,000, and for businesses from $30,000 to $200,000.

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993

The Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) provides a separate layer of protection that applies automatically to all services purchased from a business in New Zealand. Its guarantees cannot be contracted out of in a consumer transaction.

Under the CGA, services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, be fit for any particular purpose the consumer has made known, and be completed within a reasonable time. If a service fails to meet these guarantees, the consumer is entitled to have the issue remedied — and if the failure is of a substantial character, the consumer may cancel the service and obtain a refund.

For psychic services, the CGA means that a reading must be delivered competently and honestly. It does not require the psychic to be “correct” in any objectively verifiable sense — but it does require that the service is delivered with genuine care, without deception, and in a manner consistent with what the consumer was led to expect.

Premium-rate psychic phone lines are no longer available in New Zealand

Premium-rate psychic phone services — where callers were charged per minute through their phone bill, often at rates that were unclear until the bill arrived — are no longer available in New Zealand. The discontinuation of these services removes one of the most common sources of bill shock and opaque pricing that historically affected New Zealand consumers seeking psychic guidance.

Soul 2 Path operates a credit-based model designed from the outset for transparency. You purchase a credit pack at a published per-minute rate in Australian dollars before your call begins. Your balance is visible at all times, your call ends when your credit is exhausted, and there are no automatic top-ups, subscriptions or hidden charges.

No specific psychic regulation — and why that matters

New Zealand has never had an equivalent of the UK’s Fraudulent Mediums Act. There is no historical statute that singled out psychics for special treatment. The FTA and CGA have always been the relevant laws — and the burden falls on the service provider to demonstrate that their conduct is fair, honest and transparent.

For consumers, this makes the ethical standards of the platform you choose especially important. Without industry-specific regulation, the gap between a reputable service and an exploitative one can be wide.

What ethical psychic practice looks like in New Zealand

Transparent pricing in a currency you understand. Soul 2 Path operates a single rate card in Australian dollars, applied equally across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. There are no regional surcharges, no hidden fees, and no automatic subscriptions. We display AUD pricing transparently so there is never any confusion about what you will be charged.

No manufactured urgency. Ethical services do not create fear to drive sales. If a psychic tells you that you are cursed, that you must act immediately, or that only continued paid sessions can resolve a problem — that is a warning sign, not a reading.

Respect for vulnerability. The Commerce Commission has identified that consumer protection obligations are heightened when a business is dealing with consumers who may be vulnerable. Psychic services operate squarely in this space, and ethical providers take that responsibility seriously.

Privacy and data protection. New Zealand’s Privacy Act 2020 governs how personal information is collected, used and stored. Soul 2 Path complies with applicable privacy obligations. Your phone number is never visible to the psychic, your personal details are never sold or shared, and the content of your reading is not recorded or stored.

Clear limits. A psychic reading is guidance, not instruction. It is not medical advice, legal counsel, or financial planning. Ethical psychics acknowledge these boundaries openly, and ethical platforms reinforce them.

How Soul 2 Path upholds these standards

Every psychic on our platform is individually assessed before they take their first call. We evaluate demonstrable intuitive ability, professional conduct, and the capacity to hold a session with genuine care and integrity.

Our billing is designed to put the caller in control. You prepay credit at a published rate. Your call ends when your balance is exhausted — no overruns, no surprise charges. Unused minutes never expire. There are no subscriptions and no automatic renewals.

Further reading

• Fair Trading Act — Consumer Protection NZ
• Consumer Guarantees Act — Consumer Protection NZ
• Your rights as a consumer — Commerce Commission

This article is published by Soul 2 Path for informational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. If you believe you have been misled by a psychic service provider, you can make a complaint to the Commerce Commission or contact Citizens Advice Bureau for guidance.