Registering a food business

Local councils or Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)Verified 14 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

If you run a food business in New Zealand, you usually need to register under the Food Act 2014. This includes a restaurant, takeaway shop, food stall or selling food you make at home. When you register, you choose a Food Control Plan or a National Programme. After that, your business gets regular checks, called verification. You register with your local council or with MPI, depending on where you operate and which type of plan you need. This page uses information published by Auckland Council as an example.

Key facts

Who must register: Anyone who makes, sells, transports or serves food commercially must register.¹
Who you register with: You may register with your local council or with MPI. This depends on where you operate and which type of plan you need.¹
Restaurants, cafés and takeaways: If you make food to be eaten straight away, use a Food Control Plan. If you only reheat ready-made food (for example, bought pies or wedges), use a National Programme.²
National Programme levels: There are 3 levels based on food safety risk: Level 1 is lower risk, Level 2 is medium risk and Level 3 is higher risk.²
First check for a new business: Usually within six weeks after your registration is approved.⁵
Auckland processing time: Up to 25 working days.¹
Auckland Food Business Levy: NZ$12.65 from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.¹
Expired registration: You cannot renew an expired registration. You must apply again and pay the full registration fee.¹
Fundraising stall exemption: If you sell food to raise money for a charitable, community or cultural purpose, on private land, no more than 20 times a year, you do not need to register under the Food Act 2014.⁴
MPI food safety helpline: 0800 00 83 33⁵

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

You usually need to register if you run a restaurant, café, takeaway shop, food truck, market food stall or home food business, or if you transport or deliver food commercially.
Selling food you make at home follows the same rules as a commercial kitchen. You must register under a Food Control Plan or a National Programme.
Possible exception: home bakers who only make cakes that do not need to be kept cold, and who sell directly to customers, may not need to operate under a Food Control Plan or National Programme. Check MPI's exemptions.
If you sell food at markets or events more than once a year, you will probably need to register.
If you are not in Auckland, contact your local council or MPI to find out who you register with, the fees and the process.

How do I do it? Steps and process

Check your location and other licences first
Food registration does not approve your business location. For example, in Auckland: before you choose a site, ask the council's Planning team whether your business is allowed there. Contact the Building team if you plan to renovate or change the structure. To sell alcohol you need an alcohol on-licence. For outdoor seating you need an outdoor dining licence. A food truck may need a mobile trading licence.
Use My Food Rules to choose your plan
Use the My Food Rules tool on the MPI website. It tells you whether you need a Food Control Plan or a National Programme, and which level. Most businesses use MPI's Template Food Control Plan. Large businesses or those with complex processes use a Custom Food Control Plan, which is registered with MPI. Templates are available in several languages on the MPI website.
Choose a verification agency
Every registered food business must be checked by an approved verification agency. This can be the council or a third-party agency. If you use a third party, attach their confirmation letter to your registration application.
Submit your application and pay
Prepare the registration application form and the correct Scope of Operations document. A new business also needs a site plan. In Auckland, you can apply online, by post, or at a library that offers council services. You must pay the registration fee first. Processing takes up to 25 working days.
Get verified
A new business is usually checked for the first time within six weeks after registration is approved. The officer watches how you handle food, asks questions and checks your records. If they find problems, they issue a Corrective Action Request (CAR). You must fix the issues by the agreed date. How often you are checked after that depends on your risk level and past performance. Businesses that do well are checked less often.
Renew on time and pay the Food Business Levy every year
Renew your registration before it expires. If it expires, you must register again and pay the full fee. Businesses operating under a Food Control Plan or National Programme must pay the Food Business Levy every year.

What documents do I need?

Application for registration of food business
Scope of Operations document (choose the one that matches your plan: NP1, NP2, NP3 or template type)
Site plan for a new business, showing boundaries and layout
Confirmation letter from your third-party verification agency (if your verifier is not the council)
Registration fee (including the Food Business Levy)

What should I watch out for?

Selling food from home: before you start, ask the council whether you can run the business from home. If you rent, you need your landlord's permission. Also think about whether you have enough fridge and storage space, how you will keep family food separate from food for sale, how you will keep allergens separate, what you will do if someone at home is sick, and how you will transport food safely.
Auckland Council says all fees, including the Food Business Levy, are non-refundable. Fees may also differ depending on your risk level.
If you operate without a valid registration, you may get an infringement notice or face further action.
If the business has a new owner or your NZBN (New Zealand Business Number) changes, you must apply for a new registration. You cannot simply renew.
Event organisers must make sure all food trucks and stalls are registered. You can ask to see their Notice of Registration or check the public register on the MPI website.
If a fundraising stall is in a public place, in Auckland you also need a fundraising licence and street trading approval.
If you are not sure which plan you need, call the MPI food safety helpline on 0800 00 83 33.
This page uses Auckland Council's public information as an example. For other regions, check your local council's website for the process and fees. This page is not legal advice.

Common questions

What food licence do I need to open a restaurant in New Zealand?

You usually need to register your restaurant under the Food Act 2014. If you make food to be eaten straight away, you use a Food Control Plan. If you only reheat ready-made food, you use a National Programme. Registration does not approve your location, so check with your council first. You may also need an alcohol on-licence or an outdoor dining licence.

What is the difference between a Food Control Plan and a National Programme, and which one do I need?

A Food Control Plan is for businesses that make food, and a National Programme is for businesses that only reheat ready-made food, such as bought pies or wedges. National Programmes have 3 levels based on food safety risk. Use the My Food Rules tool on the MPI website to find out which plan and level you need. If you are not sure, call the MPI food safety helpline on 0800 00 83 33.

Do I need to register to sell food I cook at home, like samosas or cakes?

Yes, usually. Selling food you make at home follows the same rules as a commercial kitchen, so you must register under a Food Control Plan or a National Programme. Home bakers who only make cakes that do not need to be kept cold, and who sell directly to customers, may not need to. Check MPI's exemptions. Also ask the council whether you can run the business from home.

Do I register my café or bakery with the council or with MPI?

It depends on where you operate and which type of plan you need. Most businesses use MPI's Template Food Control Plan. Large businesses or those with complex processes use a Custom Food Control Plan, which is registered with MPI. If you are not sure, contact your local council or MPI.

How soon after registering will my food business be checked, and what do they check?

A new business is usually checked for the first time within six weeks after registration is approved. The officer watches how you handle food, asks questions and checks your records. If they find problems, they issue a Corrective Action Request (CAR), and you must fix the issues by the agreed date. Businesses that do well are checked less often.

Do I need to register to sell food at a weekend market?

Probably yes. If you sell food at markets or events more than once a year, you will probably need to register. Event organisers must make sure all food stalls are registered, so they may ask to see your Notice of Registration. If you are not sure, contact your local council or MPI.

Does a school or charity fundraiser selling food need to register?

Not always. You do not need to register under the Food Act 2014 if you sell food to raise money for a charitable, community or cultural purpose, on private land, no more than 20 times a year. If the stall is in a public place in Auckland, you also need a fundraising licence and street trading approval.

What happens if my food business registration expires?

You cannot renew an expired registration. You must apply again and pay the full registration fee. If you operate without a valid registration, you may get an infringement notice or face further action. Renew before your registration expires to avoid this.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

Apply for food registrationAuckland Council · aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Food control plans and national programmesAuckland Council · aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Running a home-based businessAuckland Council · aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Markets, food stalls and fundraisingAuckland Council · aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Food business verification servicesAuckland Council · aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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