90-day notice (New Zealand)
A written notice under the New Zealand Residential Tenancies Act 1986 by which a landlord can end a periodic tenancy on one of the specified statutory grounds, giving the tenant at least 90 days to vacate.
Since the 2020 amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, landlords can no longer end a periodic tenancy in New Zealand “without cause”. Termination requires the landlord to cite one of the statutory grounds and give the tenant the minimum statutory notice — 90 days for most grounds, including the landlord or a family member moving in, extensive renovations, and change of use of the premises.
The notice must be in writing, signed, and specify the ground being relied upon. If the tenant believes the notice is retaliatory or that the stated ground is not genuinely being pursued, they can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to have it declared invalid.
Shorter statutory notice periods apply to a small number of specific grounds, including the 42-day notice where the landlord has agreed to sell with vacant possession or a family member is moving in under an owner-occupier provision. Tenancy Services publishes template notices and the full list of grounds that landlords should reference before issuing a notice.
Primary source
Tenancy Services — Giving notice to end a tenancy →Last reviewed 16 April 2026. Rates, thresholds, and deadlines change — always verify against the primary source before making decisions.