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Cancel The Times: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to cancel your Times subscription easily. Get insights on your rights and the process. Rated 4.8/5. Start your cancellation today!
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How to cancel The Times subscription in new zealand and protect your rights
Understanding The Times and why new zealand readers subscribe
The Times is a UK-based news publisher that delivers global journalism to readers across the world, including thousands in New Zealand. You gain access to in-depth reporting, analysis, and opinion pieces covering politics, business, sport, and international affairs through digital subscriptions and, in select regions, print editions.
New Zealand subscribers typically sign up through multiple platforms: the web version, the iOS app, Google Play, or directly from the publisher. Your subscription method determines how you access content and, crucially, how you will cancel your account. Whether you read on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop, The Times provides flexible digital access through their UK & World News app and web-based platform.
Who chooses The Times
New Zealand readers who subscribe to The Times generally fall into several groups: professionals requiring comprehensive international business and political coverage, academics and researchers seeking reliable, archival news sources, and readers who value the publication's editorial reputation and investigative standards.
Print home-delivery editions are available in limited regions, though digital subscriptions remain the primary offering for New Zealand-based subscribers. Your subscription cost and access options may differ from UK-based readers due to regional pricing variations.
How Times subscriptions work in practice
When you subscribe to The Times, you gain immediate access to digital content through either the app or web platform. Your subscription renews automatically on a set schedule unless you actively turn off auto-renewal. Charges appear on your payment method each billing period.
Understanding your subscription type matters before you cancel. Whether you signed up through an app store, your web browser, or directly with the publisher changes how you will cancel and what refund rights you hold under New Zealand consumer law.
Your consumer rights when cancelling The Times
New Zealand law gives you important protections when you purchase any subscription service, including The Times. This section explains those protections and how they apply to your cancellation.
Consumer guarantees act protections in new zealand
New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act gives you legal rights that cannot be taken away by company terms and conditions. Under this law, services must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and delivered with due care and skill. If The Times fails to deliver what was promised, breaches these guarantees, or misleads you about auto-renewal terms, you have rights to remedies including refunds or cancellation without penalty.
Your legal position: If The Times subscription does not work as described, contains false information, or fails to function properly, you can escalate your complaint to the Commerce Commission or seek a refund regardless of the company's stated no-refund policy. You do not need to accept unfair terms simply because they appear in The Times' website or app.
Most digital subscription disputes in New Zealand are handled by the Commerce Commission, the government authority that enforces consumer law. Document any misleading statements about auto-renewal, hidden charges, or service failures before you escalate your complaint.
Cooling-off and cancellation windows
Digital subscriptions in New Zealand do not automatically qualify for a standard 14-day cooling-off period under consumer law, unlike physical goods. However, if The Times used misleading terms, failed to clearly disclose auto-renewal before you purchased, or presented unfair contract terms, you retain cancellation rights under the Fair Trading Act.
Always review The Times' terms and conditions at the point of purchase. If those terms were not clearly presented or auto-renewal was not explicitly disclosed in obvious language, document this evidence. If The Times refuses to cancel or refund your subscription, contact the Commerce Commission with screenshots of the misleading information.
Cancellation methods for The Times
Your cancellation method depends on where you signed up. Each platform handles billing differently, so follow the steps for your specific method.
Cancelling through the apple app store (iOS)
If you subscribe to The Times via the Apple App Store, you must cancel through your Apple device settings, not through The Times' own website. Apple controls the billing relationship for app-based subscriptions, so your cancellation request goes directly to Apple, not to The Times.
- Open your iPhone or iPad and navigate to Settings
- Locate the Settings app on your home screen
- Tap your name or Apple ID at the top of the menu
- Tap Subscriptions
- You will see a list of all active subscriptions linked to your Apple account
- Find The Times in your subscription list and tap it
- If you have multiple subscriptions, scroll to locate The Times
- Tap Cancel Subscription
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your cancellation
- Apple will ask you to confirm that you wish to cancel
- Confirm the cancellation
- Your subscription will end at the end of your current billing period
- You will retain access to The Times until that date
You should receive a confirmation email from Apple within minutes. Keep this email as proof of your cancellation request. If you do not receive confirmation, return to Settings and verify that The Times no longer appears in your active subscriptions.
Cancelling through google play (Android)
If you subscribe to The Times via Google Play, you must cancel through your Android device settings or the Google Play website, not through The Times directly. Google controls the billing relationship for app-based subscriptions.
- Open the Google Play app on your Android phone or tablet
- Locate the Google Play Store icon on your home screen
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
- This is usually your initial or profile photo
- Select Manage subscriptions
- A list of all active subscriptions will appear
- Tap The Times subscription
- Your current billing information will display
- Tap Cancel subscription
- Follow the prompts to complete your cancellation
- You may see options to pause or modify your subscription first
- Confirm your cancellation choice
- Your access will end at the end of your current billing period
Google will send you a confirmation email. If you do not receive one within 24 hours, log into your Google Play account online and verify that The Times no longer appears in your active subscriptions.
Cancelling through The Times website or account
If you subscribed directly through The Times website, you can cancel through your online account. This method gives you the most direct control and fastest confirmation from The Times themselves.
- Visit The Times website and log into your account
- Use the same email address and password you used to subscribe
- Navigate to your account settings or subscription management page
- Look for Account, Manage Subscription, or Settings in the main menu
- This is typically found in the top right corner or in a user menu
- Locate your active subscription
- Your current billing cycle and payment method will be displayed
- Select the option to cancel or manage your subscription
- Tap Cancel Subscription or Manage Subscription
- Confirm your cancellation
- The Times may offer retention discounts or temporary pauses
- You can ignore these and proceed with cancellation if you have decided to cancel
The Times should send you a cancellation confirmation email. Take a screenshot of your account page showing no active subscription and save this email for your records.
Cancelling a print subscription by post
If you have a print subscription to The Times delivered to your New Zealand address, you must send a cancellation request by post to the London address listed by The Times. There is no dedicated New Zealand postal address for cancellations, so you will need to contact the UK office directly.
- Gather your subscription details
- Have your subscription number, name, and delivery address ready
- Your subscription number appears on your print invoice or the newspaper itself
- Write a cancellation letter
- Include your full name, address, subscription number, and the date you wish to cancel
- State clearly that you wish to cancel your print subscription effective immediately or on a specific date
- Send your letter via post to The Times' London address
- Use registered mail or a tracked delivery service such as DHL or FedEx
- This ensures proof of delivery if a dispute arises later
- Keep your proof of postage
- You will need this if The Times claims not to have received your cancellation
Allow 10 to 14 business days for your cancellation to be processed by post. If The Times continues to charge you after this period, you have proof of your cancellation attempt and can escalate to the Commerce Commission.
Refunds and what to expect after cancellation
Your refund eligibility depends on when you cancel and under what circumstances. New Zealand consumer law gives you stronger refund rights than The Times' standard terms may suggest.
Refund eligibility under consumer law
If you cancel during your current billing period, you generally do not receive a refund for the remainder of that period. However, you are entitled to a refund if the service has not been delivered as promised, if auto-renewal terms were not clearly disclosed, or if The Times breaches the Consumer Guarantees Act.
If The Times charged you after you requested cancellation, you have a legal right to demand a refund for those unauthorized charges. Document the date of your cancellation request and any charges that appear after that date, then contact The Times with this evidence. If they refuse, escalate to the Commerce Commission with your documentation.
Timeline for refunds and access loss
| Scenario | Refund status | Access ends |
|---|---|---|
| Cancel mid-billing cycle through app store | No refund for current period | End of current billing period |
| Cancel within 14 days of signup (if terms were unclear) | Refund may apply under Fair Trading Act | Immediately upon approval |
| Auto-renewal charged after cancellation request | Full refund of unauthorized charge | Immediately upon refund approval |
| Service failed or misleading terms used | Refund or credit applies | After Commerce Commission determination |
| Cancel directly on The Times website | No refund for current period unless breach occurs | End of current billing period |
App store cancellations typically take effect at the end of your current billing cycle. If you cancel on day 1 of a 30-day cycle, you will retain access for the full 30 days. Direct website cancellations follow the same timeline unless you are entitled to a refund under consumer law.
Common mistakes that delay cancellation
Cancelling a subscription sounds straightforward, but small mistakes can leave you charged for months. Learn what to avoid so your cancellation sticks.
Mistake one: cancelling in the wrong place
The most common error is trying to cancel through The Times website when you subscribed via an app store. Apple and Google control app-based billing, so cancelling on The Times' website will not stop your charges. You must cancel through the platform where you signed up, or you will continue to be charged.
Before you cancel, log into the account where you signed up. If you subscribed via email through your phone, you signed up via an app store. If you subscribed through your web browser on a computer, you signed up directly with The Times.
Mistake two: not keeping cancellation proof
Do not delete cancellation confirmation emails or screenshots. If The Times claims not to have received your cancellation request, you need this proof to escalate to the Commerce Commission. Keep all confirmation messages in a separate folder for at least 12 months after cancellation.
If you cancel by post, keep the tracking number and delivery receipt. This proves when and how you sent your cancellation, protecting you if a dispute arises later.
Mistake three: assuming access ends immediately
When you cancel through an app store, your access does not end immediately. You retain full access until the end of your current billing period. If you cancel on day 15 of a 30-day cycle, you have 15 more days of access. Some subscribers assume they have lost access and try to cancel again, creating confusion.
Check your confirmation email for the exact date your access will end. Circle this date on your calendar so you are not surprised when access stops.
Mistake four: not checking for hidden charges
After you cancel, monitor your payment method for 30 days. If The Times charges you again after your cancellation date, contact them immediately with your cancellation proof. Under New Zealand consumer law, you are entitled to a full refund of any unauthorized charges.
If The Times refuses to refund an unauthorized charge, you have grounds to escalate to the Commerce Commission. Take a screenshot of the unauthorized charge on your bank or credit card statement and attach this to your complaint.
Pricing and subscription options for The Times
Understanding your subscription cost helps you assess whether cancellation is the right choice. The Times offers multiple pricing tiers across different platforms.
| Subscription type | Monthly cost (NZD) | Billing | Cancel method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital basic (web) | $18-22 | Auto-renew monthly | The Times website account |
| Digital premium (app) | $20-24 | Auto-renew monthly | App store (Apple/Google) |
| Annual digital | $180-220 | Annual renewal | The Times website account |
| Print + digital | Varies by region | Monthly or annual | Post to London address |
| Student discount (digital) | $8-10 | Auto-renew monthly | The Times website account |
Pricing varies based on promotional offers and your location. When you log into your account, your specific billing amount is displayed. If you are charged more than the amount shown in your account settings, contact The Times immediately, as this may indicate a billing error or unauthorized charge.
Protecting yourself with tocancel before you subscribe
Tocancel helps you understand your cancellation rights before you commit to any subscription. Before you sign up for The Times or any digital service, visit Tocancel to review the cancellation process for that company.
Tocancel provides step-by-step guides for cancelling subscriptions across hundreds of services. By using Tocancel, you learn whether a company has simple cancellation, hidden barriers, or unreasonable terms before you become a customer. This knowledge empowers you to make informed choices about which services deserve your money.
If you are locked in an unfair subscription and need help, Tocancel walks you through your consumer rights and the specific steps to cancel your service. You are not alone in fighting for fair treatment from subscription companies.
Escalating to the commerce commission if cancellation is refused
If The Times refuses to cancel your subscription or continues charging you after your cancellation request, you have the right to escalate your complaint to New Zealand's Commerce Commission.
When to escalate your complaint
Escalate to the Commerce Commission if any of the following situations apply: The Times continues charging after your documented cancellation request, The Times refuses to process your cancellation without valid reason, auto-renewal terms were not clearly disclosed before you purchased, or The Times will not refund unauthorized charges.
Before you escalate, send The Times one final written request for cancellation or a refund. Use email if you subscribed online, or registered mail if you subscribed by post. State your request clearly and include your subscription number and the date of your cancellation request. Give The Times 5 business days to respond.
Filing a commerce commission complaint
Visit the Commerce Commission website (www.comcom.govt.nz) and select the option to lodge a consumer complaint. Prepare the following information before you start: your subscription number, dates of all cancellation requests you made, screenshots of your account showing the active subscription, copies of all emails from The Times, and your bank or credit card statement showing the charges.
The Commerce Commission will investigate your complaint and contact The Times on your behalf. In most cases, companies comply once the Commerce Commission becomes involved, as non-compliance can result in significant penalties and reputational damage.
Summary and next steps
Cancelling The Times is straightforward if you cancel through the correct platform. Check where you signed up: if you used an app, cancel through the app store. If you used your web browser, cancel through The Times website. If you have a print subscription, send a registered letter to the London address.
Your rights as a New Zealand consumer are stronger than The Times' terms and conditions. The Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act protect you from unfair auto-renewal terms, misleading disclosures, and unauthorized charges. If The Times refuses to honour your cancellation, the Commerce Commission will investigate on your behalf.
Keep all cancellation confirmation emails and screenshots for 12 months. Monitor your payment method after cancellation to catch any unauthorized charges immediately. If you need support navigating your cancellation rights, Tocancel provides free guides and advice for every major subscription service, and has helped thousands of consumers cancel unfair subscriptions and recover refunds.
You have the power to cancel The Times at any time. Take action today by following the steps for your platform, and reclaim control of your subscription spending.
Contact information for cancellation and disputes
Use this information if you need to contact The Times directly or escalate your complaint to New Zealand's consumer authority.
The Times cancellation address (print and postal enquiries)
If you subscribe to The Times print edition or have general enquiries, write to:
The Times
3 Thomas More Square
London
E98 1ST
United Kingdom
Use registered mail or tracked delivery (DHL, FedEx, or New Zealand Post International). Keep your proof of postage and tracking number. Allow 10 to 14 business days for your request to be processed.
New zealand commerce commission (escalation and complaints)
If The Times refuses to cancel, refund, or respond to your complaint, file a formal complaint with the Commerce Commission:
Commerce Commission
Level 3, 99 The Terrace
Wellington 6011
New Zealand
Website: www.comcom.govt.nz
Toll-free: 0800 943 600
Alternatively, visit the Commerce Commission website to lodge your complaint online. Include all documentation of your cancellation request, screenshots of charges, and copies of any communication with The Times. The Commerce Commission will investigate at no cost to you.