Public Health

A health licence is granted to the owner of a business, not the business itself. It confirms that your business is registered with Council. It allows us to check that you are operating to acceptable health standards. 

Once you're registered, you need to display your certificate of registration at your place of business and re-register with us each year.

If you are buying or leasing an existing business with a health licence, you need to apply for a new health licence before you can start trading.

Who needs a health licence?

• Hairdressers and barbers
• Campgrounds
• Funeral homes
• Businesses involving an 'offensive trade'. This is defined in schedule 3 of the Health Act and includes things like rubbish collection, septic tank desludging and tanning hides.

Apply for your health licence by completing the online form and paying the required fee.

Who does not need a health licence?

• Tattoo parlours and custom tattooists
• Skin piercing businesses
• Laser hair removals
• Beauty therapy parlours

Even without a health licence, all businesses must follow health and safety guidelines. You can read more about these guidelines below.

• Ministry of Health guidelines for the safe piercing of skin.
• Ministry of Health guidelines for customary tattooing operators.
• New Zealand Standards for the safe use of lasers and intense light sources in healthcare.
• Health and hygiene guidelines for beauty professionals, New Zealand Association of Registered Beauty Professionals Inc.