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Customer Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: 12 July 2026

1. Using Our Website

Your access to thehivenz.co.nz depends entirely on these Terms and Conditions. By browsing this site, you agree to follow all our rules. You must not use this website for any unlawful or prohibited purpose.

Your Acceptance

Using this website means you fully accept all terms, conditions, and disclaimers. We update these notices regularly to keep the community safe. Therefore, continued use confirms your legal acceptance of our current terms.

Disagreement with Terms

You might not agree with everything written here. If so, you must stop using the Website immediately.

2. Who We Are

Welcome to The Hive NZ

We are a marketplace for small businesses across New Zealand. Shoppers can enjoy a safe, easy experience with local kiwi brands.

Our Mission

Our team supports small businesses to help them reach their full potential. Consequently, this collective forms a positive and strong community.

Legal Status of Sellers

Every seller on this website operates IN TRADE. This status includes all people, businesses, or entities listing products. Furthermore, such status ensures you receive protection under New Zealand consumer laws.

Wholesale Trading

We have offered wholesale buying and selling since June 2025. These standard terms apply to all wholesale transactions. You should also read our Wholesale Information Page for extra details.

3. Your Purchase Agreement

When you buy on our website, you enter an agreement directly with the vendor. The Hive NZ acts only as a marketplace. We hold no legal responsibility for your private contract or agreement.

Our Quality Standards

We take great pride in our vendors and their products. Our team monitors marketplace processes closely to ensure a high standard. Buyers and vendors are expected to communicate professionally at all times.

Using Our Message System

Please use our internal messaging system for all communication about issues. You will need to create a customer account first. We can only help mediate if we can see your conversation. Otherwise, without a record in our system, we cannot assist with disputes.

4. Communication and Kindness

How to Communicate

Our system lets buyers and vendors talk directly. Anyone can use the Contact Vendor button at any time. However, only registered customers can track orders or message vendors directly from an order.

Monitoring and Security

The Hive’s admin team monitors our open messaging system. You agree not to use this system to bypass our payment process. Do not arrange sales outside of our website to avoid platform fees.

Links and Contact Details

Do not share external website links, social media profiles, or email addresses for the purpose of diverting a sale away from The Hive NZ. We strictly forbid sharing these details for this reason.

Our Kindness Standards

We require respect and kindness from everyone on our platform. Always use positive communication when talking to others. You agree not to send rude, illegal, or offensive content. Ultimately, we do not tolerate any form of harassment.

Consequences of Misuse

We take these rules seriously to protect our community. Ignoring these messaging rules will lead to immediate action. We may suspend or remove your account instantly if you breach these terms.

5. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

Website Performance and Safety

We provide this website on an “as is” and “as available” basis. Consequently, we cannot promise that the site will operate perfectly or without interruption. No guarantee is made that the platform will achieve 100% uptime. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee that our servers are entirely free of errors or digital viruses. You acknowledge that you browse our marketplace completely at your own risk.

Limitation of Liability

The Hive NZ is not liable for any indirect or consequential losses. This includes lost profits, lost data, or missed business opportunities. We exclude these liabilities to the fullest extent permitted by New Zealand law.

Marketplace Exemptions

As a marketplace, The Hive NZ cannot be held liable for specific vendor issues. These include product faults, description errors, product safety concerns, or lost orders. However, all vendors must comply with the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act.

6. Payments and Privacy

Credit Card Security

We will never ask for or store your credit card details. Please do not enter payment card information into any website forms.

Secure Payments

We process all purchases through the secure payment portal Stripe. You do not need to register an account with Stripe to pay. You only need a valid credit or debit card and an email address.

Your Privacy

Our team takes your privacy very seriously. We will never sell your name or address to third parties. Access to your details is only shared if you give specific permission.

Data Security and Analytics

Our system uses secure, encrypted backups to keep your details safe. Additionally, Google Analytics helps us study how people use our site. This technology allows us to improve the website for everyone.

7. Complaints, Disputes, and Law

Complaints and Refunds

Contact the seller directly if you need a refund or wish to make a complaint. You can do this through your customer account, their store page or the product listing.

Our Role in Disputes

Contact The Hive’s Admin if you cannot resolve an issue with a seller. We are not legally responsible or liable for these transactions. Nevertheless, we are always willing to help mediate a fair outcome.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws of New Zealand. You hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.