Published on 29 May 2025
In 2024, the Government agreed to introduce a Food Business Levy. This levy will be used to enhance core food safety services under the Food Act 2014. The local and international food environment is significantly more complex than when the Food Act first came into effect.
Existing services need to expand, and current costs for registration and verification will not cover this. From 1 July 2025, Waitaki District Council is required to collect the levy from food businesses registered with it, on behalf of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
For 2025/26 the levy will be $57.50 (plus GST). The levy will go to MPI, and Council can recover administration costs of $11 (plus GST) for its role in recovering the levy. The levy will be fully phased in over three years with the 2027/28 levy set to be $115 (plus GST).
Businesses registered with Waitaki District Council can expect to receive an invoice in July/August each year, separate from the registration process.
More information about the Food Business Levy can be found at MPI’s website, Food Act 2014 fees, charges, and levies | NZ Government
There is also a link to this information on Council’s ‘Setting up a food business’ page: https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/Services/Food-and-EnvironmentalHealth/Food/Getting-Help
MPI Flyer about the Food Business Levy: Food Business Levy Flyer(PDF, 239KB)
ENDS