Cancel New Scientist: Easy Method

What is New Scientist

Overview

New Scientist is a weekly science and technology magazine and online publisher covering research, ideas and analysis across many scientific fields.

It publishes digital and print editions, special themed collections and occasional digital courses and events.

Editions and delivery

There are different editions and delivery methods: direct subscriptions via New Scientist, single-issue purchases, third-party platforms and bundle services.

Which edition you have will affect how you manage or cancel the subscription.

How to cancel New Scientist

If you subscribed via a third party

• If you subscribed through Apple, Amazon, Google Pay or Zinio you must contact that provider to manage or cancel the subscription.
• New Scientist cannot cancel subscriptions purchased via those providers; use the provider’s account or support pages to stop renewals.
• More information is available from New Scientist’s help pages: New Scientist help - third-party subscriptions.

If you bought directly from New Scientist

• Log into your New Scientist account at subscribe.newscientist.com and check subscription settings for self-service cancellation if available.
• If you cannot cancel online, notify New Scientist Customer Service by phone or email. New Zealand callers can use the customer service number: +61 2 8355 8923 (AET business hours).
• If you prefer postal cancellation, see the Address section below - postal cancellations are handled at the UK office.

What happens when you cancel

Access after cancellation

For most digital subscriptions you will retain access until the end of the paid period; cancellation usually prevents the next auto-renewal.

For single-issue purchases or dispatched print items, access and delivery depend on status at the time of cancellation.

Auto-renewals and account data

Auto-renewals will stop once cancellation is processed for direct subscriptions, but third-party providers control renewals for purchases via their stores.

New Scientist will keep account information as described in its privacy policy; request data or deletion via customer service if needed.

Will I get a refund?

General refund policy

Refunds depend on the product type and where you bought it. New Scientist’s shop and subscription terms set the baseline rules.

Magazines, bookazines and periodicals are generally non-cancellable and non-refundable once ordered or dispatched.

Exceptions and digital courses

• Digital courses (not magazine issues): you can request a full refund within 14 days of purchase if you have not started the course. No refunds after 14 days. Shop terms.
• Orders of magazines, bookazines or periodicals cannot be cancelled or returned for a refund, except subscription adjustments may be possible for dispatched items.
• If you were charged after a cancellation attempt or auto-renewed without notice, document the case and contact customer service; consider your consumer rights described below.

New Scientist plans and pricing

Pricing snapshot

The following prices are taken from NZ-based retailers and platforms as noted. Availability and pricing may change over time.

Plans and sources

Your consumer rights in New Zealand

Key rights under NZ law

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) and the Fair Trading Act, consumers are entitled to services of acceptable quality and truthful representations.

If a service is faulty, misrepresented or the provider’s practices are unfair, you may be entitled to remedies including refunds, replacements or compensation. See official guidance: NZ consumer protection - refunds and rights.

Limits and practical caveats

Subscriptions that have already delivered the product (for example, a print magazine that has been dispatched) may fall outside CGA protections for that delivery.

Your rights depend on whether terms were misleading, whether renewal notices were clear, and the specific facts of your purchase.

When to escalate

If cancellation is unreasonably difficult or auto-renewals occur without reasonable notice, you may have grounds under the Fair Trading Act to challenge the practice.

Keep records and consider contacting consumer protection authorities or your bank if you need to escalate.

Customer experiences

Positive feedback

Some readers find New Scientist content useful and the newsletter/app content adequate for staying informed on science topics.

Occasional positive mentions note that content fits particular reader interests, for example a focus on science rather than mainstream politics.

Negative feedback

Many reviewers report difficulty cancelling, lack of automated options and instances of being charged after attempting cancellation.

Other common complaints cite unexpected auto-renewals, poor website usability, a broken app and slow customer-service responses. See user reviews: Trustpilot - New Scientist NZ reviews.

Documentation checklist

Essential documents to gather

• Order number or subscription reference (from confirmation email or account page).
• Account email address used for the subscription and screenshots of subscription status.
• Bank or card statements showing charges and dates for disputed payments.

Additional useful items

• Copies of cancellation attempts (emails, support tickets, call notes with date/time and agent if available).
• Screenshots of app/store subscriptions (Apple/Google/Amazon/Zinio) showing active subscriptions or cancellation screens.

Common mistakes

Contacting the wrong place

Many consumers try to cancel with New Scientist when the subscription was purchased via Apple, Google, Amazon or Zinio.

If you bought via a third party, cancelling with New Scientist alone will usually not stop further charges.

Missing important deadlines

Assuming a refund is available after the 14-day window for digital courses or after an auto-renewal period has passed is a frequent error.

Also, failing to save cancellation confirmations or proof of communication makes disputes harder to resolve.

Comparative recap

Quick comparison

After cancelling

Immediate next steps

• Keep written confirmation of cancellation and note the date your access will end.
• Check bank/card statements for unexpected charges and contact your card issuer if needed.

Useful links and escalation

• New Scientist third-party subscription guidance: ui.newscientist.com.
• Account login/cancellation page: subscribe.newscientist.com.
• Shop terms (refunds and course rules): shop.newscientist.com.
• NZ consumer rights information: consumerprotection.govt.nz.
• User reviews and common issues: Trustpilot - New Scientist NZ.

Address

Mailing address (UK office)

New Scientist Ltd., Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, Kensington, London W8 5TT, United Kingdom.

There is no separate New Zealand postal cancellation address; postal cancellations are processed via the UK office.

When to use postal cancellation

If you must send a signed cancellation or formal notice by post, send it to the UK address above and include all account details and proof of purchase.

Also retain proof of posting (tracked mail) and allow time for international delivery and processing.