Cost to register dog, run a restaurant to rise
Dog owners and food sellers in Taupō are facing possible fees hikes, which the local council says are long overdue.
The Taupō District Council is in the process of reviewing its fees and charges for these activities and said managing animals, and ensuring places locals go to eat were clean and hygienic, were important parts of keeping the Taupō community safe.
Policy adviser Andrew Wilson said the need for animal control was primarily generated by those who owned animals.
“However, the community benefits from the council’s animal control officers collecting those animals off the street or taking possession of aggressive animals that have attacked people.
“These activities are funded by the fees paid by owners as well as rates to reflect the benefits to the community as a whole and to those who generate the need for it,” Wilson said.
He said fees for dog registration and animal control had not moved much during the past decade, which had led to rates having to fund the shortfall.
“We want to make sure the costs are fairly divided between dog owners and the wider community,” Wilson said.
From August 1, the proposed increase for an entire dog would go from $114 to $130 with desexed dogs getting a $13 discount.
Registration fees for working dogs would go from $34 to $40 and the cost to impound a dog would rise from $80 to $90 for a first offence and from $155 to $180 for subsequent offences.
Registration discounts of up to $50 per dog are available to responsible dog owners and for multiple dogs owned by the same people.
To become a responsible dog owner, the dogs and the properties where they live first need to be assessed by council animal control officers and meet certain requirements.
Disability assistance dogs, or pet therapy dogs attract no registration fees.
Meanwhile, the proposed changes to fees for food licensing represent increased costs for council, as well as the fact council has been undercharging for officers’ time in the food licensing space, Wilson said.
“While there are benefits to community health, the cost of this activity needs to be fairly split between the community and places handling food. “That’s why we’re also proposing new fees that will better cover officers’ time,” Wilson said.
Costs to register a new Food Control Plan go from $300 to $400, and the renewal of registration rises to $190 from $150 annually.
The new Government-imposed Ministry for Primary Industries Domestic Food Business Levy for 2025 is $57.50, which will rise to $86.25 in 2026 and to $115 in 2027.
The food safety officer hourly rate, where enforcement action is required, will rise from $185 to $250.00.
Consultation on the proposed changes closes on Friday, May 3.