The Food Business levy
In 2024, the Government agreed to enhance core food safety services under the Food Act 2014 through the Food Business Levy.
As of July 1, Timaru District Council as the regulatory authority of the area will be collecting the levy annually on behalf of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
New food businesses will be charged at the time of their registration and then every July thereafter. Food Businesses registered to Timaru District Council will receive an invoice in July each year.
Levy Collection Details
The Food Business Levy is an annual charge for registered food businesses operating under a food control plan or national programme.
The Food Business Levy will be phased in over three years:
- From July 1 2025 to June 20 2026 - $57.50 (plus GST)
- From July 1 2026 to June 30 2027 - $86. 25 (plus GST)
- From July 1 2027 - $115.00 (plus GST)
Note: There is an additional cost for the invoice of $11 (plus GST)
What does the Food Business Levy do to support your business?
- Provide better education and support to meet food safety and suitability requirements.
- Increased monitoring and taking prompt intervention to ensure the food safety system is working well.
- More support for providing a fair, consistent, and risk-appropriate level of verification, registry, and enforcement services to food businesses that do not follow the rules.
- Regular national campaigns to tackle systemic food safety or suitability issues.
- More effective, efficient, and up-to-date rules and standards with input from businesses.
For more information
For all things Food Business Levy head to the MPI website
You can get in touch with our Environmental Services food unit at foodadmin@timdc.govt.nz
If you would like to contact MPI directly, please email foodactlevies@mpi.govt.nz.
Last updated: 05 Jun 2025