Health Licensing
Introduction
Certain businesses are required to be licensed under the Health Regulations 1966.
These include:
- Camping grounds
- Funeral directors/Mortuaries
- Stock yard sales
Premises are registered annually and inspected regularly.
Prospective owners of new businesses are encouraged to prepare a plan of their proposed venture and discuss it with one of our environment health officers before starting work. This could save you time and money further on in the construction process.
Health Licensing Fees
View the schedule of Health Licensing Fees that must accompany your application.
Setting up a New Business
Camping grounds and Funeral Directors/Mortuaries need to comply with the requirements of the Health Act and its regulations.
Each of these types of business have their own specific regulations and requirements that can be found here;
Our teams
You can work with our Environmental Health, Planning and Building Consents Teams to ensure you meet all the relevant health and building regulations.
The Planning Team can advise on our District Plan and provide information on parking requirements, advertising and any other requirements necessary.
Building consent officers can help with construction requirements, change of use conditions, plumbing and drainage, egress, number of sanitary fixtures and access for disabled people. Building consent will be required for any work done.
Our Environmental Health Officers can provide information on health requirements, inspections and registration.
Camping Grounds
All camping grounds are required to comply with the Camping Grounds Regulations 1985.
Basic requirements of the premises are:
- There are specific space requirements for each site and number of ablution, laundry and kitchen facilities dependent on occupancy loading.
- Paths and sites must be well marked and lit.
- Water must be available at specific space intervals and facilities must be maintained in a tidy and clean condition.
- You must organise management of record keeping, pest control, building maintenance and cleaning practices.
Further information and guidance on providing safe water for campers can be viewed via the Water Service Authority (Taumata Arowai) NZ site.
How to apply
You will need to complete an application form and pay the required fee. An Environmental Health Officer will contact you to arrange an inspection of your premises. You are unable to operate until your premises has been inspected and your registration certificate has been issued.
If you need more information or would like to discuss your application, contact a member of our Environmental Health Team on 07 862 8609 or 0800 734 834 (from within district) or email us at info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz
Renew your licence
Registrations expire each year.
Prior to your expiry date, we will email you a renewal application form and an invoice for the renewal fee. We will also contact you to arrange an inspection of your premises.
You must apply for renewal and pay the registration fee prior to your expiry date to be able to continue operating.
If you need more information or would like to discuss your application, contact a member of our Environmental Health Team on 07 862 8609 or 0800 734 834 (from within district) or email us at info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz
Funeral Director/Mortuary
All funeral directors must comply with the Health (Burial) Regulations 1946.
All Mortuaries must comply with the Health (Registration of Premises) Regulations 1966.
Basic requirements of the premises are:
- Mortuary surfaces are required to be continuously smooth, impervious to water, readily cleanable and lightly coloured.
- Floors must be coved to the walls and permanent fixtures and graded and drained to the sewer.
- Lighting and ventilation must be adequate.
- Mortuary tables must also be graded and drained.
- There must be hot and cold running water and a wash hand basin must be convenient to the area and separate from other sinks.
- Staff toilet facilities should be provided.
- You must organise management of cleaning practices, personal hygiene policies, pest control, building maintenance and safe chemical storage.
How to apply
You will need to complete an application form and pay the required fee. An Environmental Health Officer will contact you to arrange an inspection of your premises. You are unable to operate until your premises has been inspected and your registration certificate has been issued.
If you need more information or would like to discuss your application, contact a member of our Environmental Health Team on 07 862 8609 or 0800 734 834 (from within district) or email us at info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz
Renew your licence
Registrations expire each year.
Prior to your expiry date, we will email you a renewal application form and an invoice for the renewal fee. We will also contact you to arrange an inspection of your premises.
You must apply for renewal and pay the registration fee prior to your expiry date to be able to continue operating.
If you need more information or would like to discuss your application, contact a member of our Environmental Health Team on 07 862 8609 or 0800 734 834 (from within district) or email us at info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz
Stock Sale Yards
All Stock Sale Yards are required to comply with the provisions of the Health (Registration of Premises) Regulations 1966.
Premises are inspected on an annual basis (the fee for this inspection is included in the renewal fee) unless a complaint is received in which an inspection outside of the annual basis will be conducted.
How to apply
You will need to complete an application form and pay the required fee. An Environmental Health Officer will contact you to arrange an inspection of your premises. You are unable to operate until your premises has been inspected and your registration certificate has been issued.
If you need more information or would like to discuss your application, contact a member of our Environmental Health Team on 07 862 8609 or 0800 734 834 (from within district) or email us at info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz
Renew your licence
Registrations expire each year.
Prior to your expiry date, we will email you a renewal application form and an invoice for the renewal fee. We will also contact you to arrange an inspection of your premises.
You must apply for renewal and pay the registration fee prior to your expiry date to be able to continue operating.
If you need more information or would like to discuss your application, contact a member of our Environmental Health Team on 07 862 8609 or 0800 734 834 (from within district) or email us at info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz
Offensive Trades
We would like to make you aware of an upcoming legislative change that will affect offensive trade registrations administered by local authorities (Councils).
Following a review undertaken by the Ministry for Regulation and the Ministry of Health, Cabinet has decided to remove the list of offensive trades contained in Schedule 3 of the Health Act 1956.
As a result, from 10 September 2026, businesses previously classified as offensive trades will no longer be required to register annually with their local authority or pay an offensive trade registration fee.
The review concluded that the registration requirements were outdated and that the public health risks associated with these activities can be adequately managed through existing regulatory frameworks, including:
- The wider powers available under the Health Act 1956
- Environmental legislation, including the Resource Management Act 1991
- Industry-specific legislation such as the Animal Products Act 1999 and other sector-based regulatory regimes
At this stage, please be aware that offensive trade registrations will cease from 10 September 2026.
Hairdressing Salons/Barbers (No longer require a Registration with Council)
Revocation of the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980.
The Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980 will be revoked by the end of July 2025.
For clarity, the Health (Registration of Premises) Regulations 1966 will still be in force as it applies to other industries. However, it will no longer apply to the hairdressing and barbering industry once the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980 are revoked.
This means by the end of July the regulations will no longer exist and cannot be enforced. This means that we will not be conducting inspections, no longer requiring annual registration fees, and no longer issuing Certificates of Registration.
All other regulatory and legislative requirements including Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 apply.
Building Act 2004 and Council Planning rules (Operative District Plan) still apply. District Council staff in the building or planning teams can assist with these legal requirements.
As of 17 July 2025, the Ministry of Health, as promised, has now published the new guidance for hairdressing and barbering industry. Visit the Ministry’s website to download the information at www.health.govt.nz
Or view the guidance and other information here: Public Health Guidance for Hairdressers and Barbers | Ministry of Health NZ
For more information see the Ministry of Health’s website: www.health.govt.nz
