Originally Posted by
Nugget_Oz
I think the tourist thing is a furphy. There is no reason that they should especially remind you of New Zealand's seatbelt laws. Many countries have had mandatory seatbelt laws for a very long time. You can't expect a rental agency to remind you of all the differences between New Zealand and New York traffic laws.
Agreed.
The law requiring rear seat passengers to wear a seat belt in NZ came into effect in 1989.
Hardly a new law and certainly no scheme to pay for earthquake damage, OP.
However, it is usually the driver who is fined if passengers are not complying with the law.
In many cases, insurance cover is invalidated if the driver is not complying with the law.