Step 2 - Register, renew or change of ownership

Who registers my food business?

Registering with your council

You must register with your local council if your business:

• is based in one council district
• is a mobile business (such as food stalls at events) or an online business - in which case you must register with the local council where your business is based.

Forms for registration with Council are available here.

• You must also complete a scope of operations form specific to your business
• You must also provide a copy of your company details from the companies register (if you operate as a company).

Registering with MPI

If you operate from fixed places (shops or packing houses) in more than one council district, you have a choice. You can either:

• register each place separately with each local council
• register them all with MPI.

To register with MPI you will need:

• a completed registration form available on MPI website
• a completed scope of operation form specific to your type of business
• a letter from a verifier or auditor to say that they will verify you (see Step 3)
• address details for all the places where you make or sell food. If you're registering with MPI then you must be operating a food business from more than one address. You will need to include each address on your registration form
• a copy of the Companies Act registration certificates for any parts of your business that are limited liability companies.

Exemptions from registration

You don't need a food control plan or programme if you are:

• selling food for fundraising less than 20 times a year. Fundraising activities include sausage sizzles, raffles and charity events
• sharing food with others at sports clubs, social clubs or marae where food is not the purpose of the event. For example, providing nibbles at a bowling club games night or serving food at a tangi.

Types of businesses that don't need a food control plan or programme include:

• home-based childcare providers who prepare food for children in their care
• small accommodation operators who provide food to less than 10 guests
• growers selling unprocessed, home-grown fruit and vegetables directly to consumers, such as at farm gates or farmers markets
• people who sell only pre-packaged foods that don't need refrigeration or freezing, like packets of biscuits or cans of food.

Further information on exemptions here.

Apply for registration of a new food business

All food businesses require a food registration under the Food Act 2014 unless they fit under one of the exemptions above.

Applications for food control plan registrations are valid for one year, while those for national programmes are valid for two years.

For new businesses registered under the Food Act 2014, an initial verification will be conducted within six weeks of an application being approved. A certificate of registration is issued upon Council receiving and approving an application. Once approval is granted, the business can operate.

Please be aware it is illegal to begin operating before an appropriate registration is approved and premises may be subject to infringement fines if they ignore this requirement.

Application for Registration Form - Food Act 2014

Renewal of registration

All registrations under the Food Act 2014 need to be renewed before they expire. Under the Food Act 2014, registration authorities are not permitted to renew any expired registrations.

Businesses using a food control plan currently have to renew their registration each year and those using a national programme every two years.

In general, you will be notified approximately two months in advance via email that a renewal is required. These renewals can be completed at any stage, prior to expiring. Businesses failing to renew will be sent an additional reminder approximately two weeks before the registration lapses. Please inform Western Bay District Council of any updates to contact information or management changes to ensure these reminders are received.

Western Bay District Council is not responsible if you fail to renew your registration before it lapses.

Change of ownership

If you have just taken over a food business, you need to apply for your own food control plan and registration. You cannot change the name of the registration from the previous owner's name to your name.

If you sell your business, you must notify Council.

The new owners must notify the council within ten working days of taking over the business and a new registration application must be submitted.

Please fill out the form below:

Application for Registration Form - Food Act 2014