Cancel The Week: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel The Week subscription in new zealand and claim your refund

What is The Week and why new zealand readers subscribe

The Week is a weekly news and current-affairs magazine that condenses reporting, opinion and analysis from hundreds of global sources into digestible briefings. Instead of spending hours scrolling through headlines, you read the essential story in under an hour each week.

New Zealand readers access The Week through print delivery to your letterbox, iOS and Android apps, or web-based digital access. You choose the format that suits your life, whether that's a physical magazine you flick through at breakfast or a digital edition you read on your commute.

Subscriptions don't always work out long-term. Your reading habits change, your budget tightens, or the content no longer aligns with your interests. Whatever your reason, you have clear legal rights as a New Zealand consumer, and Tocancel is here to help you exercise them confidently.

How The Week reaches new zealand readers

The magazine operates across multiple platforms: print subscriptions arrive by post, iOS subscriptions run through the Apple App Store, Android subscriptions run through Google Play, and web subscriptions work through the publisher's website. Each platform has its own billing system, cancellation process, and refund timeline, so identifying which one you use is your first step.

Understanding your subscription platform is essential because Apple, Google and the publisher each control cancellation differently.

Why cancellation can feel complicated

Many readers delay cancelling because they're unsure whether they'll lose money, which platform they subscribed through, or how to actually stop the charge. This confusion is exactly what publishers rely on - the harder cancellation is, the fewer people try. Tocancel exists to cut through that confusion and help you take control.

Once you know your platform and your rights, cancellation takes under five minutes.

Your consumer rights in new zealand: what the law protects

New Zealand's consumer protection laws give you strong, enforceable rights when you buy digital subscriptions online.

The 14-day cooling-off period

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act, you have the right to cancel any online purchase within 14 days and claim a refund, even if the seller claims "no refunds" or "all sales final". This applies to digital subscriptions bought through apps or websites.

The key restriction is this: you must not have substantially used the service before the 14-day window closes. If you've downloaded The Week app and read multiple issues, the publisher may argue you've waived your cooling-off right. However, Tocancel recommends you still push back if you cancel within 14 days. The law is on your side if your usage was minimal, and many publishers will refund you to avoid dispute.

For print subscriptions, you're entitled to a refund for any unmailed issues if you cancel within a reasonable timeframe, typically 30 days from purchase.

Your legal position if the publisher refuses

If The Week's publisher denies your refund, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz). The Commerce Commission enforces the Fair Trading Act and can force the publisher to refund you if they've breached your rights. Keep all evidence: your order confirmation, your cancellation request, the date you sent it, and any response refusing the refund.

You also have access to free dispute resolution through the Disputes Resolution Scheme (DRS), which mediates between you and the publisher at no cost.

Tocancel has helped thousands of readers push back against unfair refusal, and the law is firmly on your side if you act within the legal window.

How to cancel The Week on each platform

Your cancellation method depends entirely on which platform you subscribed through. Follow the steps that match your purchase.

Cancel your app store subscription (iPhone and iPad)

If you subscribed to The Week through Apple's App Store, you cancel through the Settings app on your device, not through The Week app itself.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
3. Select Subscriptions.
4. Find The Week in your active subscriptions list.
5. Tap The Week and select Cancel Subscription or Turn Off Auto-Renew.
6. Confirm the cancellation when prompted.

Timing matters: You must cancel at least 24 hours before your next billing date. If you cancel mid-cycle, Apple will not refund the current subscription period, but your auto-renewal stops immediately and you won't be charged again.

Pro tip: Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation showing the date and time. This is your proof if Apple later charges you or if you need to claim a refund.

Cancel your google play subscription (Android)

Android subscriptions to The Week run through Google Play, and you cancel through the Google Play app or website, not through The Week app itself.

1. Open Google Play on your Android device or visit play.google.com on a web browser.
2. Tap or click your profile icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select Payments and Subscriptions, then Subscriptions.
4. Find The Week in your active subscriptions.
5. Tap or click The Week and select Cancel Subscription.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm.

Timing matters: Cancel at least 24 hours before your next billing date. Google Play will not refund the current period, but your subscription stops renewing immediately.

What to keep: Screenshot the cancellation confirmation page as proof.

Cancel your web subscription (direct from The week's publisher)

If you subscribed directly through The Week's website, you cancel through your online account on their platform.

1. Go to The Week's website and log in to your account.
2. Navigate to Account Settings or Manage Subscription (usually in a profile or account menu).
3. Look for a Subscriptions or Billing section.
4. Select your active subscription and choose Cancel or Stop Renewal.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts and confirm your cancellation.
6. You will receive a confirmation email; save this as proof.

If you cannot find the cancellation option online, or if the website doesn't allow self-service cancellation, contact The Week's customer support by email or phone. Tocancel recommends you email your cancellation request so you have a written record.

Cancel your print subscription

Print subscriptions to The Week must be cancelled by contacting the publisher directly, usually via email or phone. Self-service cancellation is rarely available for print.

1. Locate The Week's customer service email or phone number (typically found in your subscription confirmation or on their website).
2. Send an email or call to cancel your subscription.
3. Provide your full name, address, subscription number (from your invoice or magazine), and the date you want the cancellation to take effect.
4. Ask for a written confirmation of cancellation and the refund amount (for unmailed issues).
5. Save the confirmation email as proof.

Refund timeline for print: You should receive a refund for unmailed issues within 14 to 30 days. If the publisher delays, escalate to Tocancel's guidance or the Commerce Commission.

Pricing, billing cycle and refund expectations

Understanding how you're charged and what you can claim back is crucial to getting your refund.

Typical pricing in new zealand dollars

Prices fluctuate based on promotional offers and subscription length. Always check your invoice to confirm exactly what you paid and when the next charge is due.

What refund you can claim

If you cancel within 14 days of purchase and have not substantially used the service, you can claim a full refund of what you paid. If you cancel after 14 days, you forfeit the current subscription period but any future charges are stopped immediately.

For print subscriptions, you keep the magazines already delivered; your refund covers only unmailed issues.

If you're charged after you cancel, Tocancel recommends you contact your bank or credit card company immediately to dispute the charge. Most banks will reverse unauthorised charges within 5 to 10 business days.

What happens immediately after you cancel

Cancellation and the end of your access are not always the same moment, and understanding the difference protects you from unexpected charges.

Digital subscriptions (app and web)

Once you cancel on Apple App Store, Google Play, or the publisher's website, your auto-renewal stops immediately. However, you usually retain access to The Week until the end of the current billing period. For example, if you're mid-week in your subscription cycle, you can read The Week until that week expires.

After that date, your access is revoked and you see a "renew" prompt when you open the app or website. You will not be charged again unless you manually renew.

Print subscriptions

When you cancel a print subscription, the publisher stops sending new magazines from the date you request. Any magazines already in the post are still delivered, and you keep them; the refund applies only to future unmailed issues.

Do not expect immediate refund deposits. Most publishers process refunds within 14 to 30 days. Tocancel recommends you note the refund amount and expected date, then follow up if it doesn't arrive within 30 days.

Avoid this common trap

Do not close your Apple ID, Google Play account, or email address immediately after cancellation. The publisher may send a refund confirmation or refund receipt to that address, and losing access means you cannot prove the refund was processed. Wait at least 60 days before closing any accounts linked to your subscription.

Common mistakes when cancelling The Week

Cancelling a subscription feels straightforward, but small oversights can cost you money or leave you vulnerable to future charges.

Mistake 1: cancelling the app, not the subscription

Deleting The Week app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. The publisher's server still sees your subscription as active and will charge you on the next billing date. You must cancel through Settings (Apple) or Google Play (Android), or through the publisher's website. Deleting the app is just cleanup after you've cancelled.

Mistake 2: missing the billing date deadline

If you want to avoid the next charge, you must cancel at least 24 hours before your billing date. If your billing date is Thursday and you cancel on Thursday afternoon, you'll likely be charged that day and have to claim a refund. Set a phone reminder three days before your billing date so you have time to cancel without rushing.

Mistake 3: not keeping proof of cancellation

Screenshots and confirmation emails are your only defence if the publisher claims you never cancelled or if they charge you again. The moment you see a cancellation confirmation, take a screenshot showing the date and time. Save confirmation emails in a folder labelled "Subscriptions Cancelled". If a dispute arises, you have immediate proof.

Mistake 4: assuming "pause" means "cancel"

Some subscription platforms offer a "pause" option instead of cancellation. Pausing temporarily stops charges but does not fully cancel your subscription. If you don't intend to return, cancel outright. Tocancel recommends checking the exact wording: if the option says "pause" or "temporarily stop", it is not a cancellation.

Mistake 5: accepting a refund denial without escalating

If The Week's publisher refuses your refund within the 14-day window, do not accept that refusal. The law is on your side. Contact the Commerce Commission or use the Disputes Resolution Scheme. Many publishers cave at the first sign of escalation because they know the law favours you.

Checklist: steps to cancel The Week safely

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel correctly and protect yourself from future charges and refund disputes.

• Identify which platform you subscribed through (Apple App Store, Google Play, publisher website, or print).
• Note your current billing date and subscription amount from your latest invoice or confirmation email.
• Follow the cancellation steps for your platform (see section above).
• Ensure you cancel at least 24 hours before your next billing date.
• Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation showing the date and time.
• Save any confirmation emails you receive from Apple, Google, or the publisher.
• If you subscribed via credit card, check your statement 5 to 10 days after cancellation to confirm no charge appears.
• If you were charged after cancellation, contact your bank immediately to dispute it.
• If a refund was promised and doesn't arrive within 30 days, contact the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz).
• Do not close your Apple ID, Google Play account, or email address for at least 60 days after cancellation.

What readers say about The Week and cancellation experience

Many New Zealand readers value The Week for its time-saving summaries and balanced perspective on global news. However, some cancel because they switch to free news sources, reduce their subscription budget, or find the app unreliable. Tocancel tracks user reviews and cancellation patterns to understand where publishers succeed and where they frustrate.

Common reasons new zealand readers cancel

If you're cancelling because of app problems or content drift, you have a strong case for a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act. If the service isn't fit for purpose, the publisher must refund you even after 14 days in some circumstances.

Key differences: The Week vs competing news subscriptions

Understanding how The Week compares to alternatives helps you decide if cancellation is the right move or if another service better suits your needs.

If you're cancelling to save money, explore free alternatives first. If you're cancelling because the format or content doesn't suit you, test a competitor's trial before committing.

Contact details for The Week cancellation and customer support

If you cannot cancel online, or if you've cancelled and have not received your refund, use these contact methods to reach The Week's customer support team directly.

Customer support channels

Because The Week is based in the United Kingdom, New Zealand subscribers typically use international contact methods. The publisher does not list a dedicated New Zealand postal address, so email is your most reliable channel for cancellation requests and refund disputes.

Email: Contact The Week's customer service via the email address listed in your subscription confirmation or on their main website (theweek.com). Use a subject line like "Cancellation request: [Your Name], [Subscription reference]" to ensure your email is routed correctly.

Phone: You can call The Week's UK office for cancellations, though this may incur international call charges. The phone number is typically found on the publisher's website or in your subscription confirmation.

In-app support: If you subscribed via Apple App Store or Google Play, you can also contact support through the app itself, though Tocancel recommends email for a clearer record.

If the publisher does not respond within 14 days

If you submit a cancellation or refund request and receive no response within 14 days, or if the publisher refuses your refund, escalate to:

Commerce Commission: comcom.govt.nz - This is New Zealand's main consumer protection authority and will investigate unfair trading practices and breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Disputes Resolution Scheme: Use the free DRS to mediate with The Week's publisher if they refuse your refund claim. The process is free and usually resolves within 20 to 30 days.

Your bank or credit card provider: If you were charged after cancellation, dispute the charge directly with your bank. Most banks will reverse unauthorised charges within 5 to 10 business days and may refund you provisional credit while they investigate.

Your final step: take action now with tocancel

Cancelling The Week is a straightforward process once you know your platform and your rights. You have strong legal protections under New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act, including a 14-day cooling-off period and access to free dispute resolution if the publisher refuses your refund.

The most common mistake readers make is delaying cancellation out of confusion or fear of losing money. This delay costs you extra charges and weakens your legal position. Tocancel has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers cancel subscriptions safely, claim refunds they're entitled to, and avoid future unwanted charges. Whether you're cancelling due to financial pressure, app problems, or simply changing interests, your rights are clear and enforceable.

Follow the steps for your platform today, take a screenshot of the confirmation, and save your proof. If you encounter resistance or your refund doesn't arrive within 30 days, Tocancel's guidance and the Commerce Commission are your next steps. You are in control of your subscriptions, and Tocancel is here to empower you to exercise that control confidently.