It's a win for the consumer, with gift cards being given a new lease on life. 

Parliament has passed a private member's bill —originally put forward by National's Melissa Lee— requiring gift cards to have a minimum expiry date of three years. 

Consumer NZ's Jessica Walker says one in four gift cardholders end up stuck with a card they can't use. 

She told Mike Hosking this change brings much need consistency and clarity. 

Walker says three to six month expiry dates is pretty much allowing the retailers to have money for nothing. 

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