The Government has announced that the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980 will be revoked on 31 July 2025.
This change follows a national sector review led by the Ministry for Regulation, which found that the regulations were outdated, inconsistently applied and no longer contributed meaningfully to public health and safety outcomes.
Businesses must still comply with general public health and safety laws, including:
Note: A health officer may still carry out an inspection of your premises under the Health Act 1956 if a complaint is received about unsafe or unhygienic practices.
All hairdressers and barbers are still required to be registered and permitted to connect and discharge into the water, waste and sewage network.
Trade Waste compliance is implemented by the Christchurch City Council under the Local Government Act 2002 through the Christchurch City Council Trade Waste Bylaw2015.
The Trade Waste Bylaw sets out rules for controlling the amount and quality of trade waste discharged to the sewer.
If you have any questions regarding your trade waste permit, please contact Council either by phone on 039418999 or email tradewaste@ccc.govt.nz
Hairdressers and barbers still need to comply with the requirements of the Water Supplies section of the New Zealand Building Code, which says that “Beauty salon and hairdresser’s sinks” are a high hazard to the public water supply.
The Council’s policy is that properties with these sinks need to have a High Hazard Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) backflow device on their water supply connection after the Council water meter.
If you have any questions regarding your trade waste permit, please contact Council either by phone on 039418999 or email backflowconsents@ccc.govt.nz
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with industry representatives, is preparing new guidance to support hygiene, sanitation, and infection prevention in hairdressing and barbering businesses. It is intended that this guidance will be published online and will complement existing health and safety guidance from WorkSafe NZ.
For any further queries, please feel free to contact our team at healthadmin@ccc.govt.nz or email the Ministry for Regulation directly at HairAndBarberReview@regulation.govt.nz
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