Recently the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) made a decision to implement a Food Business Levy for registered food businesses under the Food Act 2014.
Food Act 2014 fees, charges, and levies | Ministry for Primary Industries
The levy will come into effect from 1 July 2025 and as a registration authority, our Council is responsible for collecting the levy annually on behalf of the Ministry.
If your food business is registered with us, you will be charged for the levy in July each year. Any new food business registration will be charged the levy at the time of initial registration and then annually in July thereafter.
The levy is applicable to food businesses operating under a food control plan or under a national programme. The levy will be phased in over three years.
Levy charges
July 1, 2025 – 30 June 2026: $57.50 (plus GST)
1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027: $86.25 (plus GST)
1 July 2027 and each year after: $115.00 (plus GST)
What the levy covers
The funds gathered by the levy will be used for:
- providing you and your business additional education and support to meet food safety requirements;
- monitoring to ensure the food system is working well for you and for New Zealanders, as well as assisting you to proactively identify and manage any systemic issues;
- enabling you to have a fair, consistent, and risk-appropriate level of verification, registry, and enforcement services for your business;
- coordinated national campaigns to tackle systemic compliance issues; and
- more effective, efficient, and up-to-date rules and standards, developed with your input and tailored to your business’ needs.
More information
If you operate a registered food business, you will have received an information flyer. Download a copy of the flyer (245KB PDF)
For other enquiries, contact the Public Health team.
Public Health
Email: publichealthenquiries@wcc.govt.nz