If you are starting or running a business on the North Shore, or relocating a business to the North Shore, there are some rules and regulations you need to take into account. The World Bank ranks New Zealand second of 155 countries for overall Ease of Doing Business, but there are still some regulations and requirements with which you need to comply.
These regulations and requirements vary depending on the size and type of business. We have outlined some of the main issues you need to address, but there may be others which apply, and some industries are also subject to greater compliance requirements than others.
District plan
Among other things, North Shore City’s District Plan identifies areas from which certain types of business may operate. It also outlines specific requirements with regard to various types of businesses.
Property zones:
North Shore city is divided into zones and each zone is designated as suitable for certain activities. The individual property you intend to use for business purposes must be zoned appropriately for what you want to use it for and may have specific requirements you will need to meet. This part of the District Plan outlines many of the compliance issues businesses need to take into account.
Bylaws:
North Shore City bylaws may also affect your business. These regulations cover aspects such as trading in public places. To be read in conjucction with these pages, waste management, trade waste, and signage restrictions for temporary signs. If your business involves keeping of animals, poultry or bees, or stock slaughter, or if it is in the piercing, swimming, health and beauty or food or beverage industries, if you intend to run a brothel, or are in the construction industry, you will need to be mindful that there are detailed bylaws governing these practices with which you will need to comply. You will find an index of bylaws here. Please note that this list is not comprehensive and you will need to check for yourself what compliance issues arise for your business. There are also laws and national and industry-specific regulations which may apply to your business.
Home-based businesses:
In addition to the above, there are some restrictions with regard home-based business operations conducted from residential properties on the North Shore. In general, activities which create nuisances such as traffic, parking problems, noise, vibrations, smells and rubbish are more likely to be problematic in residential areas, and in most cases the business activity is restricted to no more than 25% of the dwelling area. This part of the District Plan outlines regulations with regard to the use of a property in a residential zone.
More information:
Council links
Compliance links:
ACC: (Accident Compensation Corporation - all employers in New Zealand, including the self-employed, are legally obliged to provide injury workplace cover for employees.
The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 dictates responsibilities of employers. OSH (Occupational Safety and Health: Department of Labour) has details of the Act and lots of tips on improving the health and safety of your employees.
Inland Revenue has details of all your Income Tax, GST, Fringe Benefit Tax, Provisional Tax, payroll and other obligations.
The Department of Labour has lots of information about employers’ responsibilities and obligations (includes a handy employment agreement builder).
Food industry regulations
You will find a lot more links to compliance issues on the government’s www.biz.org.nz web site.
