Hairdressing and barbering industry regulatory review

Hairdressers and barbers are a vital part of almost every community making up a billion-dollar industry of more than 5,000 mostly small businesses employing around 13,000 people. 

The review will look at whether current rules established in the 1980s are suited to an industry of this scale that is made up of mostly small businesses, while ensuring public health is protected.  

Overview

The industry currently works with regulations dating back to 1980. They require
hairdressing shops to be registered by local authorities and have rules that include:

  • drinks cannot be served where hair is being cut
  • dogs (apart from guide-dogs) cannot be in salons
  • the intensity of lighting in the salon
  • the number and location of handwashing basins, and
  • the products that need to be available for use at those basins.  

The review will look at whether the rules are fit-for-purpose.  

The review will make sure there is good reason to regulate hairdressing and barbering and make recommendations for changes to the current requirements.  

The Ministry for Regulation is leading the review, working closely with the Ministry of Health and other relevant government agencies.

Scope of the review 

The review is expected to examine: 

  • the content and implementation of the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations1980, which are made under the Health Act 1956 
  • the content and implementation of the Health (Registration of Premises) Regulations 1966, only as they apply to the requirement to register premises used for hairdressing and barber shops 
  • any other legislative instruments relating to hairdressing and barbering that the Ministry for Regulation considers necessary to meet the terms of reference as revealed through the process of the review (the Ministry for Regulation will determine whether requirements in this category are considered as part of the review on a case-by-case basis).
  • requirements imposed on hairdressing shops by local authorities as part of the licencing regime or in bylaws.

Hairdressing and barbering industry regulatory review: Terms of Reference (186 KB, Pdf)

How to provide feedback

We want to hear from business owners and hairdressing or barbering professionals. You can complete an online feedback form by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.

Timeframe

The review is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025.

Supporting information

Ministry for Regulation hairdressing and barbering regulatory review webpage

Hairdressers and barbers (and other workers in hairdresser and barber salons/shops)

This questionnaire is for anyone who works as a hairdresser or barber in New Zealand and other people who work in hairdressing salons or barber shops. If you are a hairdresser or barber who also owns the business, please fill in the questionnaire for business owners instead of this one.

Hairdressing and barber business owners

This questionnaire is for people who own a hairdressing and/or barbering business in New Zealand. This includes all types of businesses in all types of settings – from people offering services in their own homes to those with multiple salons or barber shops. In answering this questionnaire you may find it useful to refer to Ministry's website page about the review which includes its scope, as well as the Health (Registration of Premises) Regulations 1966 and Health...