Hairdressing and barbering industry regulatory review
The review will look at whether current rules are fit-for-purpose for the hairdressing and barbering industry.
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 currently works under 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.
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.
Business New Zealand’s report on reducing compliance in small business called the industry regulations outdated and costly and highlighted inflexible regulatory compliance for hairdressers and barbers.
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. It was the Ministry for Regulation’s third review – the others are into early childhood education and agricultural and horticultural product regulations.
Reducing compliance burden on New Zealand small businesses open_in_new
The Terms of Reference outlined the scope and approach to the review:
Hairdressing and barbering industry regulatory review: Terms of Reference (186 KB, Pdf)
Engagement and consultation
The Ministry heard from business owners, hairdressers and barbers, key industry stakeholders such as the industry body, local authorities, and environmental health officers (Council inspectors).
We worked closely with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Department of Internal Affairs, WorkSafe, Health New Zealand, and the Ministry of Justice.
Review recommendations
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.
Hairdressing and Barbering Industry Regulatory Review - Final Report - May 2025
Hairdressing and Barbering Industry Regulatory Review - Summary Report - May 2025