do i need a licence for a market stall

Quick answer

Short answer: maybe. You may need one or more licences, permits or registrations depending on location, products and scale.

Before you book a stall, check with the market organiser and your local council — they’ll tell you which permits or registrations are required for your specific situation.

When you usually need a licence or permit

Public land: If you plan to sell on footpaths, reserves, beaches or other council-owned land you will commonly need a trading-in-public-places permit (sometimes called a street-trader licence or similar). Rules differ between councils around where and when you can trade.

Private property and indoor markets: If you trade on private land or inside a privately run market, you usually don’t need a council street-trading licence — but the property owner or market organiser will have rules, fees and booking terms you must follow.

• Council permit required for public spaces in many areas.
• Event organiser permission is required for fairs, community events and indoor markets.
• Venue owners set their own terms where the market is on private property.

Food, drink and alcohol: extra rules

Food sales: Selling food typically triggers food safety obligations. In New Zealand you generally must register your food business with your local council and operate under the Food Act framework. Low-risk pre-packaged items may have simpler requirements, while cooked or ready-to-eat food usually needs a food control plan or to follow a relevant national programme.

Alcohol: Selling alcohol from a stall requires specific licences and approvals. Temporary or occasional alcohol sales are regulated and will usually require approval through your local licensing process — check with the event organiser and the district licensing committee.

• Register food business with local council; follow Food Act requirements.
• Hot food and high-risk items likely need a documented food control plan.
• Alcohol sales need licensing — don’t assume you can sell drinks without permission.

Other legal and practical obligations

GST: If your turnover (from all taxable supplies) exceeds NZ$60,000 in a 12-month period you must register for GST. If under that threshold registration is optional but can be useful for business accounting.

Health & Safety: You’re responsible for keeping suppliers, customers and helpers safe while you trade. That includes secure stalls, safe cooking setups, and managing trip hazards.

Insurance and compliance: Markets and event organisers often ask for public liability insurance. You may also need certificates for gas appliances, compliance with smoke-free areas, and rules about waste and wastewater.

• Register for GST once turnover goes over NZ$60,000 per year.
• Carry public liability insurance if organisers require it (recommended even if not required).
• Follow health and safety, fire and gas safety rules for cooking equipment and shelter structures.

Practical step-by-step checklist

A short checklist you can follow before your next market stall:

Take these steps in order so you avoid fines or being turned away on the day.

• 1) Confirm stall booking and read the market/organiser’s terms (bookings, setup time, waste rules, fees).
• 2) Contact your local council to confirm whether you need a trading permit, food registration or other approvals for your location and product.
• 3) If selling food, register the food business with your council and determine whether a food control plan or national programme applies.
• 4) Check whether alcohol, live animals, or other regulated goods require additional licences.
• 5) Decide on payments: bring sufficient cash and a cashless option (card/mobile).
• 6) Consider GST registration if you expect turnover to exceed NZ$60,000 per year.

Market stall payments (including a note on PocketMoney)

Customers increasingly expect to pay by card or contactless. Bringing only cash can limit sales. You have a few options: a full EFTPOS machine, card-reader + phone solution, invoice or online payments, or cash.

PocketMoney is a compact option for casual sellers and market stalls who don’t want to carry a traditional EFTPOS machine. It lets you accept card payments using a small device and works well alongside cash. Check fees, connectivity and whether the market has mobile coverage before you rely on any card option.

• Test any card/device before market day and bring a backup (e.g., a printed QR code or a phone with a payment link).
• Display prices clearly and keep simple records of sales for GST and tax purposes.
• If you use a card option like PocketMoney, ensure customers get receipts and you can reconcile payments at the end of the day.