If you're planning to operate a food business (eg food manufacturing, restaurants and cafes, takeaways, and some temporary food stalls), you'll need to apply for a Notice of Registration from us.
This ensures that food is prepared in a clean environment and using quality products, preventing any risk to public health from contamination, poor hygiene, poor preparation, and unsanitary storage and serving.
Notices of Registration are non-transferable. If you want to take over an existing food business, you will need to complete a new application for registration.
MPI has introduced a new Food Business Levy, effective 1 July. This is called the Domestic Food Business Levy (the Levy). The Domestic Food Business Levy will apply to all registered food businesses operating under a Food Control Plan or National Programme, as part of ongoing improvements to New Zealand's food safety system.
The levy, introduced under the Food Act 2014, funds essential services delivered by New Zealand Food Safety that directly benefit food businesses. These include clearer food safety rules, better support and guidance, stronger compliance monitoring, and enhanced training and oversight for verifiers and territorial authorities.
New food businesses will be charged the levy at the time of registration. Existing businesses will be billed annually.
This investment supports a safer, more effective food system that benefits both businesses and consumers.
What is the Food Business Levy?
The Food Business Levy is an annual fee paid to MPI but collected for MPI by the registration authority. This fee helps fund core food services delivered by New Zealand Food Safety. These services support food businesses in meeting safety standards and maintaining compliance.
Who needs to pay the levy?
All registered food businesses operating under a food control plan or national programme are required to pay the levy. This includes new businesses at the time of registration and existing businesses on an annual basis.
When does the levy take effect?
The levy comes into effect from 1 July. Businesses will begin receiving bills from this date.
How much is the levy?
The fee for 1 July 2025 including Council cost recovery will be $78.78
Please note: An additional cost of $12.65 (incl GST) per invoice raised will be added to the figures shown above to recover costs incurred by Council in the collection of the government Food Business Levy.
What does the levy pay for?
- The levy funds essential services that directly benefit food businesses, including:
- Development of clear and practical food safety rules and templates
- Data analysis to identify compliance trends and risks
- Business guidance and educational resources
- Training and support for verifiers and councils
- National performance standards
- System-wide audits and reviews
How will I be billed?
New businesses will be invoiced at registration. Existing businesses will receive an annual bill through their registration authority.
What if I don’t pay the levy?
Nonpayment of the levy will be transferred to MPI.
Where can I get more information?
MPI requirement: Food Control Plans and National Programmes
Depending on what food you make you will need to either operate under a Food Control Plan or National Programme.
A Food Control Plan sets out what steps a business making or selling higher-risk foods needs to take to make safe food. It is used to identify risks and show how they're being managed. It means customers will know food is safe – and it can help to create a successful food business.
Lower and medium-risk businesses follow a National Programme. This means businesses do don't need to use written Food Control Plans, but must register the business, meet food safety standards, keep some records, and get verified.
For more information about the template Food Control Plans or National Programmes you can either view the Food Act 2014 or visit the Ministry for Primary Industries Website.
The law requires that Council verify businesses registered under an MPI template Food Control Plan unless the business chooses to operate in more than one council district and/or predominantly wholesale their food.
Food businesses operating under a National Programmes may choose their own verifier. You will need a letter from your verifier to attach to your application. A list of recognised verification (or audit) agencies can be found on the Ministry for Primary Industries Website.
What is a Notice of Registration, and why do I need one?
A Notice of Registration is a legal requirement for operating a food business such as food manufacturing, restaurants, cafes, takeaways, and some temporary food stalls. It ensures that your food is prepared in a clean environment, using quality products, to minimise the risk of contamination, poor hygiene, or unsanitary storage and serving, ultimately protecting public health.
Can I transfer my Notice of Registration to another person?
No, Notices of Registration are non-transferable and non-refundable. If you wish to take over an existing food business, you must submit a new application for registration.
What is the difference between a Food Control Plan and a National Programme?
- Food Control Plan (FCP): This is for businesses making or selling higher-risk foods. It identifies risks and outlines steps to ensure food safety.
- National Programme (NP): For lower or medium-risk businesses. It does not require a written Food Control Plan but requires registration, meeting food safety standards, record-keeping, and verification.
How do I know whether my food business needs a Template Food Control Plan or a National Programme?
You can use MPI’s ‘My Food Rules’ tool to determine which category your business fits under. Visit the MPI website to access this tool.
Do I need to get verified?
- If you are operating under a Template Food Control Plan, and donot operate out of the Upper Hutt area, the Council will verify your business.
- If you are operating under a National Programme, or a Template Food Control Plan you can choose your own verifier. You will need to provide a confirming letter from your verifier with your application.
What information do I need to complete my application?
You'll need the following details:
- Whether your business operates under a Food Control Plan or National Programme.
- For National Programme operators, a confirmation letter from your verifier.
- NZBN number (for registered companies).
- Registration details for each business address.
- Resource consent and building consent numbers, if applicable.
How much does the application cost?
Fees vary depending on the type of food business. You can check the specific fees on the relevant page on the Council's website. Once your application is processed, you will receive an invoice for the applicable fee.
What happens after I submit my application?
Once your application is received, the Council will invoice you for the appropriate fee. After the payment is processed, you will receive your Notice of Registration.
Do I need to be inspected before my business can be registered?
If your business operates under a Food Control Plan, a Food Act verifier will conduct an on-site verification before registration. You will be invoiced for the verification fee once the site has been verified.
How often do I need to renew my registration?
If you are on a Template Food Control Plan, you will need to renew your registration annually. If you are on a National Programme, its two yearly
How do I apply for food business registration?
To apply, visit the 'Do it online' page on the Council website, log in or set up an online account, and then proceed with your application
What if I need to change or surrender my registration?
To change or surrender your food business registration or suspend operations, you can complete the relevant form via the 'Do it online' page on the website.
Can I apply for food business registration in multiple districts?
Yes, businesses can operate in more than one district, but the verification process may differ. You will need to check the specific requirements for each council district where you operate.
Before you apply
Before you apply, you need to know where your food activity or business fits within the Food Act Rules (i.e., Food Control Plan, or National Programme). MPI has a digital tool called ‘My Food Rules’ tool to help, which you can access here.
Information required to complete this application includes:
- Whether you will be operating under a Food Control Plan or National Programme
- For those operating under a National Programme – a confirming letter from your verifier
- If any of the businesses covered in this application are operated by a registered company, you will need to provide the 'NZBN' number. See www.companies.govt.nz
- Registration information for every address covered in this application
- Resource consent number if applicable, to check compatibility with Council’s District Plan
- Building consent number if applicable, to check for Building Act requirements
Fees vary. You can check which fees apply to you here.
Once we have received your application, we will invoice you the appropriate fee.
Once your payment has been received, your application will be processed.
Once registered, you will receive a Notice of Registration.
For those operating under a Food Control Plan, you will be visited by an Environmental Health Officer who will carry out an on-site verification. Once your site has been verified, we will invoice you a verification fee.
You will continue to receive periodic invoices from Council, for:
- Annual registrations (renewing your Notice of Registration)
- For those operating under a Food Control Plan, we will invoice you each time your site requires verification
You can apply to:
- Register a food business
- Change a food business registration
- Renew a food business registration
- Surrender a business registration or suspend operations
To apply, applicants should ‘visit the Do it online’ page on our website. Select the ‘Apply for a Food or Health Registration’ tile where you’ll be taken to first login to or set up and online account before progressing with the application.
Please note that Council staff cannot view any applications which have not yet been ‘submitted.
To surrender your food business registration or suspend operations, you should complete the relevant form. You should ‘visit the Do it online’ page on our website. Select the ‘Apply for a Food or Health Registration’ tile.
Food Act 2014
Ministry for Primary Industries Website
Contact Environmental Health Officers