Applying for Food Registrations

Our Council registers new food businesses online through a platform called Business Connect (which is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment MBIE)

How to register

Below are the steps you need to take to register your new food business online through Business Connect. If you need help, or are not sure what sort of food business you should be registering, contact our customer services team on 0800 111 323 and ask to speak to an environmental health officer, or email regservices@stdc.govt.nz . We can also make an appointment to discuss your application in person.

Steps

1. Right click on My Food Rules (select 'open link in a new tab') to understand the food safety rules for your business.
2. Right click on Business Connect (select 'open link in a new tab')
3. Login using your RealMe account. If you don’t have a RealMe account, you can follow the link to quickly create one.
4. If it’s your first time logging onto Business Connect, you will need to create an account using your email address.
5. Once you have you have done that, go to the Business Connect dashboard.
6. Click the service you want to apply for (Register a Food Business or Alcohol License)
7. Click the check eligibility button, once you have read the information.
8. Select 'South Taranaki District Council' in the Your Council field.
9. Complete the application form.

We'll be in touch if we have any further questions regarding your application. You can pay your fee online using the details provided at the end of the application, alternatively bring in the confirmation email and pay in person at our Hāwera Council Administration Building or at any of our LibraryPlus facilities across the district.

Note: The online form is administered by Business Connect; you can find their Privacy Statement online.Any Technical issues can be email to hello@businessconnect.govt.nz

How to renew your registration

To renew your food business registration before it expires, you’ll need to do this online.

Online renewal

1. Go to Business Connect
2. Log on using your RealMe profile followed by your Business Connect Login.
3. Go to the Business Connect dashboard.
4. Complete the renewal form

We'll be in touch if we have any further questions regarding your renewal application. You can pay your fee online using the details provided at the end of the application, alternatively bring in the confirmation email and pay in person at our Hāwera Council Administration Building or at any of our LibraryPlus facilities across the district.

Note: The online form is administered by Business Connect; you can find their Privacy Statement online. Any Technical issues can be email to hello@businessconnect.govt.nz

About Business Connect

With Business Connect, registering a food business will be easier and more streamlined. Once you register to use Business Connect, most of your business details will be pre-populated thanks to integration with the New Zealand Business Number.

Overall, Business Connect aims to make things easier for small and medium business owners in New Zealand, and offer a more consistent user experience across a range of application forms. Some of the benefits include:

• one place to go to fulfill compliance requirements and track interactions across government
• making regular renewals quick and easy through pre-populating information
• sending automated renewal reminders for businesses
• providing notifications on changes to application status
• saving important documents to be reused in future.

You can find out more on the Business Connect website.