30720 (2026). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for Food Safety

30720 (2026). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for Food Safety: What steps, if any, is the Minister taking to address the variation in food safety verification fees from Councils around New Zealand?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: One of my priorities as Minister for Food Safety has been to instigate the Food Act Improvement Programme (FAIP). One of the priorities under FAIP is national consistency in advice and application of the Food Act, which includes a review of the current verification and registration fees and charges set by councils. As part of this work New Zealand Food Safety has carried out a website survey and analysis of the registration and verification fees currently charged by Territorial Authorities (TAs). They have also conducted a review comparing fees charged in 2018 and 2025. NZFS is now preparing to discuss the survey and review findings with councils to find ways to increase national consistency of registration and/or verification fees.