mattwnz:

 

.... Or if it has been parallel imported or purchased from an overseas online store, and not from an NZ store. ...

 

that will be quickly detected when someone actually does the s/n lookup.
And somewhere along the way, someone WILL do the s/n lookup before doing any warranty repair .

They simply choose not do do the s/n lookup when you bring it in.

Stolen ??, sounds like a BS excuse to me. Who is going to bring in stolen goods for warranty repair .
:-)