Overview

French Kiss Café trading at Post Office Square

Trading in public places (for private gain) may be permitted in Wellington city under certain conditions and is governed by the Trading in Public Places Policy. In most situations, you will need to have a trading licence from the Council.

Trading in Public Places Policy
Trading Licence Application Form (72Kb PDF)
Draft Trading Licence and Conditions (72Kb PDF)

The Trading in Public Places Policy allows the following in public places such as footpaths, parks and sportsfields:

temporary retail and food stalls
retail kiosks
recreational equipment hire
hawking
open air markets.

The Council will consider applications to trade from specific locations based on:

the nature of the goods to be sold
appearance of the proposed stall
impact on the neighbouring properties
the layout of the proposed location.

Trading from a private property is preferable, as long as you first have the property owner's permission and there are no adverse safety or traffic impacts.

Getting Permission

If you want to propose a new trading activity in a public place, you should contact the Street Activities Coordinator to discuss your proposal.

Complete and send in a trading licence application form when you are ready to get a licence.

Food Stalls

You need to have a Mobile Food Stall Licence if selling food from a stall on any property (whether on private or public property, in the central business district or suburbs, roads or parks). If you are preparing or selling foods, contact the Environmental Health team to find out how you can obtain this licence.

Selling Food - Licence or Registration Application (76Kb PDF)

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Christmas Trees

You can sell Christmas trees in public places outside the central business district if you comply with some commonsense conditions around safety, access and consideration for others. If you don't comply with these conditions, you may be asked to leave.

Conditions for Selling Christmas Trees (44Kb PDF)

You may be able to obtain a trading licence for using a specific public site within the central business district, but first you would need to submit a proposal to the Council including details of where, when, and size of the proposed temporary stall.

Hawking

Hawking is defined in the Trading in Public Places Policy as "trading from a vehicle and only stopping long enough to sell to a customer". Hawking is only allowed in the suburbs and does not require a trading licence. To hawk food, you need to have a Mobile Food Stall Licence from Council's Environmental Health team.

Selling Food - Licence or Registration Application (76Kb PDF)

Charity Stalls

Not-for-profit charity stalls on the public footpath are covered by the Footpath Management Policy and need to be approved by the Street Activities Coordinator. Charity stalls are typically only approved for the following areas:

Cuba Mall
Wellington suburbs.

Footpath Management Policy

More Information

Gail Reeves
Street Activities Coordinator

Phone:	(04) 803 8077
Email:	gail.reeves

Environmental Health team

Phone:	(04) 499 4444
Email:	info