In New Zealand, the first law calling for child restraints in cars was passed in 1994, and at that time it became necessary for all children up to the age of 5 years to be restrained in a suitable car seat in the rear of the vehicle. This was updated in 2013 to raise the required age to 7 years Front seat passengers are protected by air bags but these explode with a great deal of force which could easily injure a child in an accident.
When considering which car seat to buy, many factors come into play. The age, weight, and height of your child will determine what type and size of car seat is appropriate. It’s important to choose a seat that fits your child snugly and provides optimal protection in case of any unfortunate events on the road.
To keep your child safe in the car, make sure infants are in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 2 years old, and after that they can be in a forward-facing seat but must still be restrained. After the age of 7 years, you can travel with your child in a booster seat until they are 148cm tall – for most children, that’s somewhere between 10 and 12 years of age, however they must be in the back seat, not the front. Parents remember – this is a legal requirement, and you can be stopped and fined by traffic police for not following these laws.
Prior to 2016 in many regions of the country, the Plunket Society supplied appropriate car seats free or at discounted prices, but rising costs and lower income has made this no longer possible. Today’s car seats range in price from around $80 to over $300, and while it is always tempting to try to save money, a child’s life is not worth the gamble, and bear in mind a good, high-quality seat can last for many years, and even has a resale value that makes it worth spending as much as you can afford.
Remember, using a car seat correctly is just as important as selecting the right one. Make sure you carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and usage. To help you to ensure that the seat is installed and is properly secured in your vehicle, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency provides a series of videos on their website with tips on buying and installing child restraints in your vehicle, in addition to the latest updated information on regulations for children travelling in vehicles on New Zealand roads.
If you are having difficulty deciding which car seat is best for you and your infant, you can consider renting one, either short term or long term. For example, Parental offer a variety of seat types and designs for as little as $4 a day. This includes everything from capsule car seats for babies up to booster seats for older children. Parental also rent strollers, foldable highchairs and even portable cots making them a one stop shop for all your travelling needs.
If you are unsure about the installation process, the Waka Kotahi NZTA site also provides a list of child restraint technicians (CRTs) who have been trained and certified through a competency-based system. You can find one near you, to install and advise, and put your mind completely at ease.
Tip: We do not recommend backless booster seat. It can rotate in a side-impact crash, and it offers no protection to the child’s head or torso. The Australia/New Zealand standard no longer certifies backless booster seats. Some booster seats can be converted to backless boosters for older children – don’t do this.
Happy Parenting!