Terms of Use

Effective date: 8 August 2026.

These Terms of Use govern access to and use of the New Zealand Motel Standards™ (NZMS™) website and public digital facilities. Separate programme, service, certification or membership terms may also apply to a particular transaction.

Independence

NZMS™ is an independent private standards, certification, improvement and professional-membership organisation. It is not a government agency, statutory authority, regulator or government accreditation body. NZMS™ certification is not a legal compliance certificate, regulatory approval or government endorsement.

Use of This Site

This site provides information about NZMS™ standards, certification, membership, reviews, resources, verification and professional relationships. It may be used only for lawful purposes.

A user must not submit false or misleading information, impersonate another person, upload material without authority, probe or disrupt security, harvest contact details, bypass consent or opt-out controls, misuse a token or acceptance link, or use NZMS™ systems to send unlawful communications.

Applications and Certification

Submission of a motel application, expression of interest, self-assessment or payment does not guarantee certification. Certification is awarded only through the applicable NZMS™ review and decision process.

Applicants are responsible for the accuracy, completeness and lawful provision of submitted information, documents and images. False or misleading information may result in delay, decline, suspension, withdrawal or revocation, subject to the applicable process.

Certification is based on the approved framework, evidence and review available at the relevant time. It does not guarantee future performance, legal compliance, bookings, revenue or an uninterrupted standard of service.

Membership Applications, Payment and Activation

NZMS™ Membership is separate from motel certification. A membership application, approval in principle, acceptance or payment does not by itself create membership or certify a person, organisation or property.

The exact membership plan, fee, benefits, governing documents, payment route and activation requirements are set out in the NZMS™ Membership Terms, Membership Charter and the plan schedule issued through the secure acceptance facility.

The motel-certification application payment link must not be used for membership unless NZMS™ expressly replaces or reconfigures it for that separate purpose.

Uploaded Material

A person submitting a photograph, document or other material confirms that they are authorised to provide it for the stated NZMS™ purpose. Private evidence will not be intentionally published without the required authority and decision.

Tokens and Private Links

Applicant access tokens, verification-management links and membership acceptance links are confidential and may be time-limited. The recipient is responsible for protecting them and must notify NZMS™ if unauthorised access is suspected.

Public Directories and Verification

Only records approved and intentionally published by NZMS™ may appear in a Certified Motels Directory, member directory or public verification facility. An application or payment record is not proof of certification or membership.

A user must not manipulate, reproduce or present a verification page, number, card, badge, certificate or seal in a way that is false, expired, altered or misleading.

AI-Assisted Systems and Human Authority

NZMS™ may use controlled AI-assisted and rules-based systems for administrative organisation, internal summaries, draft communications, scheduling recommendations, public-business research, template rendering, renewal reminders, service triage and compliance monitoring.

AI output is advisory or administrative unless an authorised person reviews and approves the relevant action. AI systems do not award, decline, suspend or revoke certification; determine a certification level; approve or activate membership; confirm payment; resolve complaints or appeals; change fees or legal terms; authorise public credential use; or override privacy, suppression or unsubscribe controls.

A user must not rely on an automated draft, score, reminder or recommendation as evidence that certification, membership, payment, legal compliance or regulatory approval has been confirmed.

Electronic Communications

Where a person requests information, submits an application, accepts a plan, receives a service or establishes a relationship with NZMS™, NZMS™ may send communications reasonably required to administer that matter.

Promotional outreach is subject to the applicable consent, identification and unsubscribe controls. Unsubscribing from promotional contact does not prevent essential transactional communication relating to an active application, service, payment, certification, membership, renewal, complaint or legal obligation.

Privacy

Personal and business information is handled under the NZMS™ Privacy Policy. Users should provide only information reasonably required for the relevant purpose and should not submit sensitive information through a public form unless expressly requested.

Intellectual Property

The NZMS™ name, logo, standards framework, written content, certificate and credential designs, seals, cards, templates and website materials remain the intellectual property or controlled marks of New Zealand Motel Standards Limited or the relevant rights holder.

No material may be reproduced, modified, republished, licensed, sold or used commercially without written permission or an applicable controlled licence. Certification and membership assets may be used only while current and in accordance with the issued conditions.

External Links and Providers

The website may link to external payment, communication, verification or information services. NZMS™ is not responsible for unrelated external content or a third party’s independent terms, privacy practices or availability.

Limitation and Responsibility

NZMS™ services do not replace an operator’s legal, safety, building, employment, consumer, insurance, fire, tax, local-authority or other regulatory responsibilities. Professional legal, financial, safety or technical advice should be obtained where appropriate.

To the extent permitted by law, NZMS™ is not responsible for indirect or consequential loss arising solely from use of general website information, an unauthorised credential, external provider failure or reliance beyond the stated scope of an NZMS™ service. Nothing in these terms excludes rights or liabilities that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Changes

NZMS™ may update these general website terms. Material changes to an active paid membership, service agreement or controlled certification arrangement will be managed under the specific governing documents for that relationship.

Governing Law

These terms are governed by New Zealand law. New Zealand courts have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory dispute rights or agreed process that applies.

Contact

For questions, use the NZMS™ Support Desk or email nzms@consultant.com.