Child Restraints in New Zealand: What You Need to Know

Under New Zealand law, all children under seven must use an approved child restraint appropriate for their age and size. Children aged seven must be secured in a restraint if one is available in the vehicle.

International best practice recommends using a child restraint or booster seat until your child is 148 cm tall or 11 years old.

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Legal Requirements by Age

| Child’s Age| What the Law Requires|
|------------------|-----------------------------|
| Under 7 years | Must be correctly secured in an approved child restraint. |
| 7 to under 8 years | Must use an approved child restraint if available. If not, use any available restraint or safety belt. |
| 8 to under 14 years | Must use a safety belt if available. If not, must travel in the back seat. |
| 14 years and older | Must use a safety belt where available. |

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Best Practice Recommendations

- Keep babies rear-facing as long as possible—at least until age 2.
- Use booster seats until your child reaches 148 cm in height.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and use.

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What Is an Approved Child Restraint?

Approved child restraints include:

- Infant restraints (baby capsules)
- Convertible and forward-facing car seats
- Booster seats
- Child safety harnesses (used with or without a booster)

To be legally used in New Zealand, a child restraint must meet one of the following standards:

- AS/NZS 1754 – New Zealand/Australian Standard (look for the tick mark)
- ECE 44 or ECE 129 (i-Size) – European Standard (look for the ‘E’ mark)
- FMVSS 213 – United States Standard (must also show the NZ ‘S’ mark)

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Expiry Dates: How Long Does a Car Seat Last?

- Most child restraints have a lifespan of 5–10 years.
- Always check the expiry date—this may be based on the date of manufacture or date of sale, depending on the brand.
- All car seats, boosters, and harnesses expire—there are no exceptions.

[Click here for a comprehensive list of child restraint expiry dates]

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Installation Methods: LATCH & ISOFIX

- LATCH (US standard) and ISOFIX (European/NZ standard) systems allow for easier and more secure installation.
- These systems use built-in anchors in the vehicle and connectors on the restraint.
- Some AS/NZS 1754-compliant restraints also include ISOFIX.


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Your Responsibility as a Driver

Drivers are legally responsible for ensuring all children in their vehicle are correctly secured in an appropriate restraint. Proper use of restraints significantly reduces the risk of injury in a crash.

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Why Child Restraints Matter

- Over 15 children die in car crashes in NZ each year—half are tamariki M?ori.
- Booster seats reduce injury risk by 59%.
- Height, not age, is the best indicator for when to stop using a child restraint.

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Community & Wh?nau Support

- Safekids NZ – Printable resources and brochures
- Plunket Services – Car seat hire and support
- Whaiora Tamariki Ora
- NZ Police – Schools Info Portal
- Wairarapa REAP – ECE Leaders & Playgroups
- Ministry of Transport – Child Restraints
- Free Car Seat Checks – [Book here]

For all child restraint enquiries, contact Holly at 06 377 1379.