Hairdressing and barbering industry regulatory review

Feedback on the hairdressing and barbering regulatory review has now closed.

Overview

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

The industry has been working under regulations dating back to 1980. Over the past few years, hairdressers and barbers have approached the Ministry of Health and MBIE and have met with the Ministry for Regulation asking for reform.

The review looked at whether there was good reason to regulate hairdressing and barbering and made recommendations for changes to the current requirements.

The Ministry for Regulation led the review, working closely with the Ministry of Health.  

The review found that while there are health risks associated with the hairdressing and barbering industry, those risks can be well managed by existing legislation combined with common sense guidance. 

More information

Read more about the review, including full and summary reports:

Ministry for Regulation hairdressing and barbering regulatory review webpage