Cancel Fairfax: Step-by-Step Guide

What is Fairfax

Overview

Fairfax New Zealand was the former name of the major New Zealand news and media group now widely known as Stuff Limited.

The company operated digital and print news products and offered paid digital subscriptions for premium content.

Rebrand and identity

Many legacy references still use "Fairfax" while current services are often branded as Stuff.

Postal and office addresses under the former Fairfax entity may remain valid for correspondence.

How to cancel Fairfax

Check where you subscribed

Identify whether your subscription was purchased via the website, Apple App Store, Google Play, or a third-party billing platform.

If you are unsure, check your bank or card statement for the merchant name and billing descriptor.

Step-by-step cancellation steps

• Website subscription: Sign in to your account on the service site, go to Account or Subscriptions, and follow the cancel or manage subscription links.
• Apple App Store: Open Settings > your name > Subscriptions on your iPhone/iPad, find the subscription and cancel there.
• Google Play: Open Google Play Store > Profile > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions, select the subscription and cancel.
• If you cannot cancel via app/website: Contact support by email or phone, request cancellation and ask for written confirmation.
• As a last resort: Send a signed cancellation request by post to the company address if email/online methods fail.

What happens when you cancel

Access after cancellation

Typically you retain access to paid content until the end of your current billing period.

Cancellation usually prevents future auto-renewal but does not necessarily provide immediate refunds.

Account and data

Your account and reading history may be retained according to the provider's data retention policy.

Download copies of receipts and save any important account information before cancelling.

Will I get a refund?

General refund position

No explicit 14-day refund right or company-wide refund statement for Fairfax (NZ) digital subscriptions was located.

Historically, some print subscribers were refunded for issues such as discontinued titles, but platform policies vary.

When refunds may be possible

• If a product or service was not delivered or was faulty, you may have remedies under New Zealand consumer law.
• If you paid via Apple or Google, refund requests are often handled by those stores following their processes.
• Always keep records (receipts, screenshots, correspondence) to support refund claims.

Fairfax plans and pricing

Pricing summary

Prices below reflect reported subscription offerings for Fairfax/Stuff digital services as of June 2025.

Taxes such as GST may apply to some plans; group plans list prices plus GST where noted.

Plan table

Your consumer rights in New Zealand

Key laws that protect you

Consumer rights are governed by the Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Guarantees Act in New Zealand.

These laws require businesses to avoid misleading conduct and to provide remedies for faulty or undelivered services.

How these laws may help with cancellations and refunds

• If a subscription service is not provided as described, you can seek remedies including repair, replacement, or refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act.
• Misleading statements about cancellation or refunds could contravene the Fair Trading Act.
• Contact a consumer advice service or the Commerce Commission for disputes if the provider will not resolve a complaint.

Customer experiences

Positive feedback

Some customers praise prompt and helpful customer service and high-quality product experiences in related retail brands associated with the Fairfax name.

Positive reviews highlight product design and responsive support where it occurs.

Negative feedback and common issues

Reported negatives include stock availability errors, order system mistakes, and frustrations with customer service handling of faults.

One reported issue involved a price-match situation where the outcome was disputed and caused dissatisfaction.

Documentation checklist

What to have ready before contacting support

• Account email and username used to subscribe.
• Order or subscription reference number and the date of purchase.
• Payment method and a copy of the card or bank statement showing the charge.
• Screenshots of subscription status, billing page, and any error messages.
• Clear request text stating you want to cancel and whether you request a refund.

How to send your request

• Email: Include all documentation and a clear statement of the action you want.
• Phone: Note the date/time, staff name, and confirmation transaction number.
• Post: Send a signed letter to the company address and use tracked mail for proof of delivery.

Common mistakes

Failing to identify billing source

Many customers try to cancel on the website when the subscription is billed through Apple or Google.

This can result in ongoing charges because the app store manages the recurring payment.

Not saving confirmation or timing cancel poorly

Not saving cancellation confirmations can make disputes harder to resolve later.

Canceling too close to a renewal without checking policy can also result in an immediate renewed charge.

Comparative recap

Quick comparison of plan types

After cancelling

What to do immediately after cancellation

• Save cancellation confirmation and any reference number.
• Monitor your bank or card statement for further charges for one billing cycle.
• Remove card details from the account or delete the app if you no longer need it.

Useful links and further help

• Stuff (company home) - company site and support pages.
• Apple: cancel subscriptions on iPhone or iPad
• Google Play: cancel a subscription
• Consumer Protection (New Zealand government) - rights, complaints and guidance.

Address

Corporate / postal address

Level 7, Spark Central, 42-52 Willis Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand.

Use this address for postal cancellation requests or formal notices if required.

Note on company name

Although referred to here as Fairfax in historical contexts, current services are often under the Stuff branding.

When contacting support, include both names if unsure to ensure correct routing of your request.