How to start a food truck business in New Zealand
Registration, food safety plans, licensing, insurance, gas certs and finding your first pitch — a full New Zealand guide.
Starting a food truck in New Zealand is more paperwork than pancakes at the start. This is the order to do it in, without wasting weeks.
1. Register your business
Sole trader or company via the Companies Office. Get an NZBN and — if you'll turn over more than $60,000 — register for GST with IRD.
2. Choose a food control plan
Under the Food Act 2014 most food trucks operate under a template plan issued by MPI. Register with your local council or MPI depending on where you'll trade.
3. Get your build gas-certified
Any LPG in your truck needs an Energy Safety inspection and a gas certificate. Renew annually. No cert, no trading.
4. Insurance
Public liability (minimum $2M is standard for most markets), plus vehicle cover and stock cover. Speak to an insurer who understands mobile food.
5. Council permits
If you'll trade on public land, you need a mobile-shop or trading-consent permit from that council. Every council is different — apply early.
6. Menu, recipes, prep list
Keep the menu tight to start. Six to eight items, all built from overlapping ingredients. This makes prep, stock and pricing all easier.
7. Find your first pitch
Weekend markets are the friendliest way in. Apply to several; some will say no; keep going. Once you have a Saturday, you have proof for the next application.
8. Systems from day one
Even a single-truck operator needs a way to track events, stock, sales and profit. Doing it in spreadsheets works for six months and then falls apart. Start with a system built for mobile food — like CartFlow.