The short answer
R134a and R1234yf are the two refrigerants NZ workshops see in vehicle air conditioning. R134a is the older, non-flammable refrigerant with a high climate impact; R1234yf is the newer, low-impact replacement that is mildly flammable and needs its own equipment, fittings and handling.
R1234yf-equipped cars have been arriving in New Zealand since about 2014, including NZ-new models, and parallel imports from Japan and Europe have pushed numbers up faster than in Australia. At the same time, New Zealand is phasing down imports of HFC refrigerants like R134a, so it is becoming scarcer and dearer. Most workshops now need to service both.
R134a vs R1234yf side by side
R134a | R1234yf | |
|---|---|---|
Type | HFC | HFO |
Climate impact (GWP) | 1430 | Under 1 |
Flammability | Non-flammable | Mildly flammable (classed as highly flammable gas under NZ's HSNO rules) |
Found in | Most vehicles built before the mid-2010s | Many newer vehicles, including NZ-new models since about 2014 |
Service ports | R134a couplers | Different couplers, so the two can't be connected by mistake |
Equipment | R134a recovery and recharge machine | Dedicated R1234yf machine; R134a machines must not be used |
Compressor oil | Specified PAG oil | Specified PAG oil for R1234yf; electric compressors (hybrids and EVs) usually need POE oil |
Cost per kg | Rising as the HFC phase-down tightens supply | Higher, but expected to ease over time |
Always check the under-bonnet label for the refrigerant type and charge, and never mix refrigerants or convert an R1234yf system to anything else.
What NZ rules mean for your workshop
The HFC phase-down. New Zealand is cutting the supply of new bulk HFC refrigerants, including R134a, under the Kigali Amendment. The schedule takes net supply to 52% below the baseline in 2025 and 75% below by 2031. Expect R134a to keep getting harder to buy and more expensive, which makes careful recovery and reuse more valuable.
Flammability. Under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) rules, R1234yf is managed as a highly flammable gas. That affects how you store cylinders, ventilate the work area and control ignition sources during service.
Licensing. There is no specific licence for automotive A/C work in New Zealand at the time of writing. The Government's proposed licensing system for refrigeration and air conditioning technicians would exclude automotive air conditioning, and that work is currently on hold. Workshops still have duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to make sure their people are trained to do the work safely.
Imported vehicles. Vehicles with HFC refrigerant in their air conditioning attract a synthetic greenhouse gas levy when they are registered, so the cost of HFCs reaches vehicles as well as bulk gas.
What your workshop needs
A dedicated R1234yf recovery and recharge machine, kept separate from your R134a machine.
A refrigerant identifier, so you know what's actually in the system before you connect, especially on imports with unclear history.
The right oil for each system, including POE for electric compressors on hybrids and EVs. The wrong oil can damage the compressor and the HV insulation.
Safe handling for a flammable gas: good ventilation, no ignition sources near the work, and correct cylinder storage.
Trained technicians who understand both systems, leak detection and diagnosis, not just how to run the machine.
FAQs
How do I tell if a car uses R134a or R1234yf?
Check the label under the bonnet, which shows the refrigerant type and charge weight. The service ports are also different, and a refrigerant identifier confirms what's actually in the system.
Can I put R134a into an R1234yf system?
No. Never mix refrigerants or convert an R1234yf system to another refrigerant. Use the refrigerant and oil the manufacturer specifies.
Can I use my R134a machine on R1234yf cars?
No. R1234yf needs its own recovery and recharge machine and couplers, so the two refrigerants are never cross-contaminated.
Do I need a licence to work on car air conditioning in NZ?
Not at the time of writing. The proposed refrigeration licensing system would exclude automotive A/C, and it's on hold. Your duty to train staff under health and safety law still applies.
Is R1234yf dangerous?
It is mildly flammable, so it needs more care than R134a: good ventilation, no ignition sources and correct storage. With the right equipment and training it is serviced safely every day.
Is R134a being banned in New Zealand?
Not banned, but its supply is being phased down. By 2031 the net supply of new bulk HFCs will be 75% below the baseline, so R134a will get scarcer and more expensive.
Train your team on both systems
Aquipe's Air Conditioning Fundamentals is a full-day, hands-on course covering R134a and R1234yf systems, recovery, evacuation and correct charging, leak detection and fault diagnosis. It runs in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for $595 + GST per person, or on-site at your workshop on your own vehicles and equipment.
See the 2027 dates on the Air Conditioning Fundamentals page, or email training@aquipe.nz to bring the course to your workshop.
Sources: Ministry for the Environment: HFC projections; Ministry for the Environment: Phase-out options for HFC refrigerants; MBIE: Licensing system for refrigeration technicians, checked 7 October 2026; VASA: NZ finally gets R1234yf; Ministry for the Environment: SGG levy regulations 2020.
