Make a start

Everyone working in the food industry has a responsibility to make sure that the food we buy is safe and suitable to eat. When starting a food business or taking over an existing one, there's a lot you need to know. It's important you are aware of the legal requirements and standards involved with registering and operating a food business.

Under the Food Act 2014, food businesses and providers need to meet different requirements depending on what they do, and the level of food safety risk involved. For information from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) about starting and running a food business click here.

Our advice is to also check out the feasibility and legalities of your proposal with the relevant Council departments.

Our Customer Services Team can help in the first instance, and then may refer you to a:

  • Resource Consent Planner - for District Plan and RMA information about setting up a business at your chosen site
  • Building Control Officer - for information about new buildings or making renovations to an existing building, fire safety requirements etc.
  • Environmental Health Officer - for advice about food safety and registration, and the sale of alcohol.

When purchasing a new building, it is recommended that you obtain a Land Information Memorandum (LIM). This is a report on what the Council know about the land and buildings at your chosen site.

Please note, before a food registration certificate can be issued, you'll need to ensure you have obtained all of the necessary Building and Planning approvals.

You do not need to register your food business if you are only selling food:

  • To raise funds for a charity, cultural or community group (less that 20 times a year)
  • To provide to members of sports clubs, social clubs or marae - where food is not the purpose of the event
  • Once in a calendar year at an event such as a local fair.

However, you will have to register under the Act if you are:

  • fundraising more than 20 times a year
  • catering events at clubs, or selling food at club bars or restaurants
  • bartering or exchanging food commercially
  • selling food commercially at fairs, markets, or community events more than once a year

For detailed information of businesses that are exempt from registration, check out section 31 and Schedule 3 of the Food Act 2014.

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