Yes, it’s protected (unlike completely unsecured deposits many businesses request). Because the funds are held in trust away from the business / liquidator (in the secure BNZ Trust Account) until the customer agrees the job is completed (or until formal dispute resolution results in a determination of how the funds need to be applied). Neither the business, nor the liquidator has direct access to funds in our BNZ Trust Account (escrow account).

A business / liquidator would only have a claim against your money equal to what the business / liquidator is entitled to under contract / at law. Or in other words, if the business / liquidator can prove they have delivered the customer value then they are entitled to claim to receive that value. That is fair and reasonable – unlike those completely unsecured deposits many businesses request which can leave you scrambling to claim funds back if something goes wrong in the meantime.