Appearance Industry Bylaw

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We're considering adopting a new bylaw for Appearance Industries (e.g. tattoo shops, beauty salons, massage, facials, cosmetic clinics, spas, manicure and pedicures, nail clinics, and ear/body piercing businesses). We’ve already spoken with several stakeholders about a range of issues and are proposing to adopt a new bylaw to help manage these risks, and now we'd like to hear what you think.

Every year, there are a number of injuries caused by commercial ‘personal appearance’ practices, such as spas, nail salons, piercings and tattoos. These injuries include minor skin irritations, fungal infections and communicable diseases, loss of eyesight, loss of limbs, life-threatening conditions, and even death in extreme cases.

Why is it happening?

Through research we’ve carried out and findings from Regional Public Health surveys, it appears that while many operators have adequate training and good practices in place to prevent clients from harm or infections, some operators do not. Additionally, some operators are not aware that the way they are doing things is no longer considered ‘good health practice’.

What can we do about it?

The ‘appearance industry’ is currently unregulated (other than a few specific practices). Over the last 10 years, 15 councils across New Zealand have adopted some form of ‘health and hygiene’ bylaw to regulate Appearance Industry providers. We’re proposing that we should adopt a bylaw, like 15 other councils around the country have already done.

What will a bylaw do?

  • Protect the health and wellbeing of commercial operators and their clients, through the raising of awareness around hygiene in staff, and making any necessary improvements in their processes.

  • Regulate the establishment and operation of appearance industry service providers and their associated processes, to minimise the risk of harm, with a set of minimum standards for certain treatments.

What next?

We're seeking feedback from industry providers and the wider Upper Hutt community on our proposal to adopt a new bylaw for Appearance Industry businesses.

Tell us what you think. Follow the steps below to make a submission.

We're also running Q&A sessions. View the Key Dates section on this page for any upcoming sessions.

Step One - Read the proposal

Please the Statement of Proposal. This explains the background and issues identified, along with the possible approaches to address these. You'll find this in the Supporting Information section.

Printed copies are also available at Council reception, both Upper Hutt Libraries, HO Xtream Aquatic Centre, and Whirinaki Whare Taonga.

Step 2 - Make a submission

You can either:

  • Complete the online submission form below
  • Download and print a PDF version which is available in the Supporting Information section, and email it to letskorero@uhcc.govt.nz
  • Complete a pre-printed submission form which is available at Council reception, Upper Hutt Libraries, HO Xtream Aquatic Centre or Whirinaki Whare Taonga. You can either drop it off at one of these locations, or Freepost it to Upper Hutt City Council, Private Bag 907, Upper Hutt, 5140.

If you would like your name to be withheld from the public documents, please indicate this in your submission.

Step 3 (optional) - Speak with us

You can also share your feedback with Councillors in person, at a dedicated Appearance Industry Bylaw hearing meeting. If you would like to do this, please let us know on your submission form and we will send you details of the meeting closer to the time.

Submissions can now be accepted up until 9 January 2022 (previously 4 January 2022).

We're considering adopting a new bylaw for Appearance Industries (e.g. tattoo shops, beauty salons, massage, facials, cosmetic clinics, spas, manicure and pedicures, nail clinics, and ear/body piercing businesses). We’ve already spoken with several stakeholders about a range of issues and are proposing to adopt a new bylaw to help manage these risks, and now we'd like to hear what you think.

Every year, there are a number of injuries caused by commercial ‘personal appearance’ practices, such as spas, nail salons, piercings and tattoos. These injuries include minor skin irritations, fungal infections and communicable diseases, loss of eyesight, loss of limbs, life-threatening conditions, and even death in extreme cases.

Why is it happening?

Through research we’ve carried out and findings from Regional Public Health surveys, it appears that while many operators have adequate training and good practices in place to prevent clients from harm or infections, some operators do not. Additionally, some operators are not aware that the way they are doing things is no longer considered ‘good health practice’.

What can we do about it?

The ‘appearance industry’ is currently unregulated (other than a few specific practices). Over the last 10 years, 15 councils across New Zealand have adopted some form of ‘health and hygiene’ bylaw to regulate Appearance Industry providers. We’re proposing that we should adopt a bylaw, like 15 other councils around the country have already done.

What will a bylaw do?

  • Protect the health and wellbeing of commercial operators and their clients, through the raising of awareness around hygiene in staff, and making any necessary improvements in their processes.

  • Regulate the establishment and operation of appearance industry service providers and their associated processes, to minimise the risk of harm, with a set of minimum standards for certain treatments.

What next?

We're seeking feedback from industry providers and the wider Upper Hutt community on our proposal to adopt a new bylaw for Appearance Industry businesses.

Tell us what you think. Follow the steps below to make a submission.

We're also running Q&A sessions. View the Key Dates section on this page for any upcoming sessions.

Step One - Read the proposal

Please the Statement of Proposal. This explains the background and issues identified, along with the possible approaches to address these. You'll find this in the Supporting Information section.

Printed copies are also available at Council reception, both Upper Hutt Libraries, HO Xtream Aquatic Centre, and Whirinaki Whare Taonga.

Step 2 - Make a submission

You can either:

  • Complete the online submission form below
  • Download and print a PDF version which is available in the Supporting Information section, and email it to letskorero@uhcc.govt.nz
  • Complete a pre-printed submission form which is available at Council reception, Upper Hutt Libraries, HO Xtream Aquatic Centre or Whirinaki Whare Taonga. You can either drop it off at one of these locations, or Freepost it to Upper Hutt City Council, Private Bag 907, Upper Hutt, 5140.

If you would like your name to be withheld from the public documents, please indicate this in your submission.

Step 3 (optional) - Speak with us

You can also share your feedback with Councillors in person, at a dedicated Appearance Industry Bylaw hearing meeting. If you would like to do this, please let us know on your submission form and we will send you details of the meeting closer to the time.

Submissions can now be accepted up until 9 January 2022 (previously 4 January 2022).

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Terms of making a submission

    Submission of this form is deemed as your agreement to these terms. 

    Upper Hutt City Council collects your contact information on this form as part of the consultation process. Unless you request that your name is withheld, it will be made public alongside your submission.  

    If you speak to your submission at a Council meeting, your name will be included in the minutes, as these are a Public Document.   

    Your personal information will be securely stored at Upper Hutt City Council and only accessed by Council officers for the intended purpose. You can request that your personal information be corrected at any time. 

    Consultation has concluded
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