Welcome to unorules.nz, an independent information site about UNO and other card games for players in New Zealand. Our aim is simple: to explain how each game works – the set-up, the rules, the scoring and the most common house rules – clearly enough that a first-time player can deal a hand and start playing.
We are not a game publisher or a retailer, and we are not connected to Mattel or any other games company. We do not sell games. We describe the facts: how a game is put together, which rules are official and which are house rules, and what is worth knowing before you sit down at the table.
What we do
On unorules.nz you will find step-by-step guides to classic UNO, to the many UNO editions and spin-offs, and to other card and party games that are played around New Zealand. The guides are written to be easy to follow, whether you are settling a rules argument mid-game or learning a game from scratch.
We put particular weight on:
- Explaining rules and game terms in plain language, so that someone who has never played before can keep up.
- Keeping official rules and house rules clearly apart, so you always know which is which.
- Presenting facts neutrally, without telling you what you “should” play or buy.
- Keeping the content up to date and checked against reliable sources.
Our principles
Everything we publish rests on three principles: it should be fact-based, independent and easy to understand.
We check rules against primary sources, first and foremost the official rule sheets and instructions published by each game’s maker. Where editions of the same game differ, we say which edition a rule belongs to. When a detail cannot be confirmed, we leave it out rather than guess.
We describe every game in the same way, whoever publishes it, and we do not rank one maker or retailer above another. Some articles contain links to external websites. A link is there as a source or as further reading, not as a recommendation.
The editorial team
The content on unorules.nz is written and reviewed by a small editorial team that specialises in clear, fact-checked explanations of games and their rules.
Tessa Hargreaves – editor and writer. Tessa is the responsible editor of unorules.nz. She writes and edits the site’s rule guides, checks them against the official instructions for each game and edition, and decides when a page needs to be corrected or updated. She is responsible for making sure that what we publish is accurate, clearly written and in line with our guidelines.
How we use AI
Parts of our content are produced with the help of AI tools, including Claude from Anthropic, which support our research and drafting. All material is reviewed, fact-checked and edited by our editorial team before it is published, and responsibility for what appears on the site always rests with us. You can read more in our AI policy.
Contact
Have you spotted a mistake, an out-of-date detail or a rule we have explained badly? Do you have a question about something you read here? Please get in touch through our contact page and we will look into it. Feedback from readers helps us keep the site accurate and useful.
You can also read our privacy policy, cookie policy and terms of use.
Gamble responsibly
unorules.nz provides information only. UNO and the other games we cover are played for fun, not for money. A small number of our articles mention casino games or link to websites about gambling. We do not sell or arrange gambling, we do not encourage anyone to gamble, and we give no gambling advice.
Gambling for money always carries risk and can lead to gambling harm. Age limits apply in New Zealand, including 18 for Instant Kiwi, TAB betting and pokies in pubs and clubs, and 20 for casinos. Only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose.
Do you need support, or want to cut back on your gambling?
- The Gambling Helpline offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day on 0800 654 655, by text on 8006, or at gamblinghelpline.co.nz.
- PGF Services (the Problem Gambling Foundation) provides free counselling throughout New Zealand on 0800 664 262 and at pgf.nz.
- Gambling in New Zealand is regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs.
You will find more information on our responsible gambling page.