Terms of Use

These Terms of Use govern your use of the NZ Optics website at nzoptics.co.nz, the NZ Optics email newsletters, and any related online services we operate (together, the "Service"). NZ Optics is published by Old Butcher Holdings Limited ("we", "us"). By using the Service you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.

1. About NZ Optics

NZ Optics is a trade publication for the New Zealand ophthalmic community — optometrists, ophthalmologists, dispensing opticians, practice owners, students, and industry suppliers. We publish editorial articles, a print magazine, email newsletters, an events calendar, classifieds, and the Optical Information Guide (OIG) supplier directory.

2. Editorial content and clinical disclaimer

Editorial content on NZ Optics is for general information and professional education only. It is not medical, clinical, diagnostic, or treatment advice, and it is not a substitute for the independent judgement of a registered eye care practitioner.

Articles, opinion pieces, sponsored features, product reviews, and research summaries on the Service are intended to inform readers about developments in the eye care field. Clinical practice must be guided by your own assessment of the patient in front of you, the standards set by the relevant New Zealand regulator (such as the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board, or the Medical Council of New Zealand), and the most current peer-reviewed evidence.

Members of the public who are not registered eye care professionals should not rely on the Service for personal medical decisions. If you have a concern about your eyes or your vision, please consult your own optometrist, ophthalmologist, or general practitioner.

When you first visit the site you are asked to acknowledge a healthcare disclaimer. Continuing to use the Service after acknowledging that disclaimer — or after registering for an account — confirms that you have read and accepted these Terms and the disclaimer. The current text of the disclaimer is shown in the popup and can be re-read by clearing the relevant cookie or contacting us.

3. Accounts and subscriptions

• You must give accurate registration information, keep your password secure, and let us know promptly if you suspect unauthorised use of your account.
• You are responsible for activity carried out under your account.
• Free Member registration gives access to public articles and selected member-only content. Premium subscriptions add further benefits as described on the Subscriptions page.
• Subscription pricing, benefits, billing cycle, and any GST treatment are as shown at the point of sale. Prices may change for future renewals — we will notify subscribers of any change before renewal.
• Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled. You can cancel renewal at any time from your account profile. Where we are required by law to offer refunds (for example, under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 where it applies), we will do so; otherwise refunds are at our discretion.
• We may suspend or close accounts that breach these Terms, that are inactive for an extended period, or where required by law.

4. Acceptable use

When using the Service you must not:

• Use the Service in a way that breaches any law or regulation, including the Privacy Act 2020, the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015, or the Fair Trading Act 1986.
• Post or transmit content that is unlawful, defamatory, harassing, misleading, infringing, or that contains personal medical information about a patient identifiable by anyone other than the treating clinician.
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Service or to any account, server, or system associated with it.
• Scrape, mass-download, redistribute, mirror, or train AI models on our content without our written permission.
• Use the Service to send spam or unsolicited commercial communications.
• Interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the Service, or attempt to do so.
• Misrepresent your professional registration, qualifications, or affiliation when registering or posting content.

5. Classifieds, directory listings and other user content

The Service lets registered users and advertisers submit content — for example, classified ads (job vacancies, positions wanted, items for sale), directory listings, and event submissions ("User Content").

• You retain ownership of your User Content but grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to host, display, format, and distribute it through the Service and our newsletters.
• You warrant that your User Content is accurate, that you have the right to publish it, and that it does not infringe anyone else’s rights.
• We may edit User Content for clarity, length, and house style, and may decline or remove any User Content at our discretion.
• Listings (classifieds, OIG entries, events) expire after the period shown at the point of submission. Renewal is your responsibility.
• Pricing and turnaround for User Content is as shown on the relevant submission page or as agreed with our advertising team.

6. Advertising and sponsored content

Advertising — including banner ads, sponsored articles, advertorials, newsletter sponsorship, and directory enhancements — is clearly identified on the Service. Sponsored content carries a "Sponsored" label. Editorial integrity is independent of advertising decisions.

Advertisers are responsible for the accuracy and legality of their own content. NZ Optics does not endorse, guarantee, or take responsibility for any product, service, claim, or therapy promoted in advertising or sponsored content.

7. Intellectual property

The Service and its content (excluding User Content and advertising) — including text, images, layout, logos, and source code — are owned by Old Butcher Holdings Limited or licensed to us, and are protected by copyright and other intellectual-property laws.

You may view, print, and share NZ Optics articles for your own personal or internal professional use. Republishing, syndicating, archiving, or commercial use requires our prior written permission. The "NZ Optics" name and logo are trade marks of Old Butcher Holdings Limited and may not be used without permission.

8. Third-party links and content

The Service contains links to external sites (research papers, product pages, regulator resources, advertiser sites) that we do not control. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, privacy practices, or availability of those external sites.

9. Availability and changes

We try to keep the Service available but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. We may change, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Service — or these Terms — at any time. Material changes to the Terms will be notified through a banner on the Service or by email to subscribers. Continued use after a change means you accept the updated Terms.

10. Disclaimers and limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

• The Service and its content are provided "as is", without any express or implied warranty as to fitness for any particular purpose, accuracy, completeness, or non-infringement.
• We are not liable for any indirect, consequential, special, or punitive loss, or any loss of profits, revenue, data, goodwill or business opportunity, arising out of or in connection with your use of the Service.
• Where any liability cannot lawfully be excluded — for example, under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 where it applies, or for death or personal injury caused by negligence — our total aggregate liability is limited to the greater of (a) the amount you have paid us in the 12 months preceding the event giving rise to the claim, or (b) NZD $200.

If you are using the Service for the purposes of a business, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986 are excluded to the extent permitted by law.

11. Termination

You may stop using the Service at any time and close your account from your profile page. We may suspend or terminate your access if you breach these Terms, if we receive a credible report of unlawful conduct, or if we discontinue the Service. Sections that by their nature should survive termination — including intellectual property, disclaimers, limitation of liability, and governing law — will continue to apply.

12. Governing law and disputes

These Terms and your use of the Service are governed by the laws of New Zealand. Any dispute will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts. We prefer to resolve disputes informally — please contact us first and we will work in good faith to find a fair outcome.

13. Contact

NZ Optics — Old Butcher Holdings Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. Email: [email protected] or use our contact form.

Last updated: 6 May 2026.