You have real legal options

Most tradies either write off unpaid invoices or spend months sending unanswered emails. Both outcomes are unnecessary. NZ law gives you clear, accessible tools to recover what you're owed.

The Construction Contracts Act 2002

If you're doing building work, the Construction Contracts Act (CCA) gives you powerful rights.

Under the CCA:

You can issue a payment claim for work completed
The client must respond with a payment schedule within a set timeframe
If they don't respond, the claimed amount becomes due — automatically
You can suspend work for non-payment (with proper notice)
Disputes go to adjudication — faster than the courts

The CCA applies to most construction contracts in NZ, including residential work.

The Disputes Tribunal

For amounts up to $30,000, the Disputes Tribunal is your best option. It's:

Cheap: $45–$180 filing fee
Fast: usually resolved in 6–8 weeks
Simple: no lawyers required (in most cases)
Binding: decisions are enforceable

You don't need a lawyer. You need your invoices, your contract or quote, and evidence that the work was done.

The District Court

For amounts over $30,000, you'll need the District Court. This is more complex and may involve legal costs, but the process is well-established. A lawyer is advisable at this level.

How long do you have?

In NZ, the Limitation Act gives you 6 years from the date the debt was due to take legal action. Don't assume old invoices are uncollectable — check the date first.

What you need to prove your case

A signed contract or accepted quote
Invoices with clear due dates
Evidence the work was completed (photos, client sign-off, correspondence)
A record of your attempts to collect

Good documentation from the start makes recovery much easier later.

Using a debt recovery service

A professional calling service can resolve many disputes before they reach the Tribunal. It's faster, cheaper, and less stressful than legal action — and often more effective.