Services provided by the Council's environmental health officer include the registration and licensing of:

Food Premises  |  Hairdressers  |  Offensive Trades  |  Camping Grounds  |  Funeral Homes  |  Existing Premises

Advice on establishing a new business/storage facility and on the legislative requirements associated with registration and licensing is also available from the environmental health officer.

Other services include:

• investigation of complaints about health nuisances
• advice on water supplies and water testing
• infectious disease/food poisoning investigations
• administration and enforcement of Council bylaws

Food Premises

If you propose opening a food outlet, first check with the Council’s Planning and Environment Department (03 440 0615) to determine whether the proposed activity is permitted on the site in terms of the Council’s district plan. Also ensure that any building or plumbing works have appropriate building consents.

All food premises must comply with the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974 to ensure safe food production. The environmental health officer is able to assist you with any information requirements or undertake inspections at any stage of the development.

The basic requirements for compliance are:

• all food preparation and storage/display area surfaces must be continuously smooth, impervious to water, readily cleanable and light coloured
• floors must be coved to the walls and permanent fixtures
• lighting and ventilation must be adequate
• there must be hot and cold running water, and a hand wash basin must be convenient to the food preparation area but separate from other sinks
• provision of staff toilet and changing facilities
• active management of cleaning practices, personal hygiene policies, pest control, building maintenance and staff training

Registration is renewable each year from 30 September, or if the business changes hands.

Prior to opening the business, you will need to contact the environmental health officer (03 440 0615) for an inspection and apply for a Certificate of Registration. 

You may not open until registration has been completed and the environmental health officer has approved opening of the premises.

More information on the application and legislative requirements involved in establishing and operating a new food premises is detailed in the following brochure Starting Out in the Food Business.

Hairdressers

All hairdressing premises must comply with the Health (Hairdressing) Regulations 1980. The Council’s environmental health officer can assist you with any information requirements or undertake preliminary inspections at the initial set-up.

Here are the basic compliance requirements:

• all wettable areas must be continuously smooth, impervious to water and readily cleanable
• ventilation and lighting must be adequate
• there must be hot and cold running water and separate sinks for hand washing, shampooing, utensil washing and any other needs
• there must be active management of premises cleaning, building maintenance, pest control and chemical storage

Registration is renewed each year from 30 September, or if the business changes hands.

When the premises are ready to open, contact the environmental health officer (03 440 0615) for an inspection and apply for a certificate of registration. You may not open until registration has been completed and the environmental health officer has approved the opening of the premises.

More information on the registration and legislative requirements involved in establishing and operating a new hairdressing establishment is detailed in the following brochure Starting Out in the Hairdressing Business

Offensive trades

If you intend carrying out any of the following activities you must be registered with the Council as an Offensive Trade. These include:

The Council’s environment health officer can help provide information and advice on these matters.

Registration is renewed each year from 30 September, or if the business changes hands.

When you are ready to open, contact the Council’s environmental health officer (03 440 0615) for an inspection and apply for a certificate of registration.  Registration of Premises Application.

You may not open until registration has been made and the environmental health officer has approved the opening of the premises.

Camping Grounds

All camping grounds must comply with the Camping Grounds Regulations 1985. The Council’s environmental health officer (telephone 03 440 0615) can assist you with advice and information, or undertake inspections at any stage of the development.

Here are the basic compliance requirements:

• there will be specific space requirements for each site and the number of ablution, laundry and kitchen facilities will be dependent on occupancy capacity
• 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
• there must be active management of record keeping, pest control, building maintenance and cleaning practices

Registration is renewed each year from 30 September, or if the business changes hands.

When you are ready to open, contact the environmental health officer (03 440 0615) for an inspection and apply for a certificate of registration.  Registration of Premises Application.

You may not open until registration has been made and the environmental health officer has approved opening of the premises.

Funeral Homes/Funeral Directors

All funeral homes and funeral directors must comply with the Health (Burial) Regulations 1946. The Council’s environmental health officer (03 440 0615) can assist you with any information requirements or undertake inspections at any stage of the development.

Here are the basic compliance requirements:

• mortuary surfaces must 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 hand washbasin must be convenient to the area but separate from other sinks
• staff toilet facilities should be provided
• there must be active management of cleaning practices, personal hygiene policies, pest control, building maintenance and safe chemical storage

Registration is renewable each year from 31 May, or if the business changes hands.

When you are ready to open, contact the Council’s environmental health officer (03 440 0615) for an inspection and apply for a Certificate of Registration.  Registration of Premises Application.

You may not open until registration has been made and the environmental health officer has approved opening of the premises.

Existing Premises

Registration of food premises, hairdressers, offensive trade premises, camping grounds and funeral homes must be renewed annually. Renewal forms will be mailed to premises prior to the expiry date of 30 September each year.

To ensure that the premises are operating correctly you may be inspected by the Council’s environmental health officer throughout the year.

If you are buying existing premises notification of the change of ownership must be submitted to Council within 14 days of the change. Change of Occupancy Application.