David Seymour looks to cut hairdressing regulations with review

By RNZ

Act leader David Seymour is spearheading a review of the hairdressing industry to address what he views as “unnecessary” regulations.

It is the third sector review to be led by the Minister for Regulation, after the agriculture industry and early childhood education.

“Hairdressers and barbers ... make up a billion-dollar industry of more than 5000 mostly small businesses employing around 13,000 people,” Seymour said in a statement.

“The review will seek to give the industry a regulatory ‘buzz cut’, as barbers and hairdressers deal with regulations which have been out of style since the ’80s.”

He pointed to regulations that prohibited dogs, other than guide dogs, from being inside a barber shop and banned refreshments from being served to customers having their hair cut.

“These rules aren’t making a practical difference to public health, but they are frustrating for business owners and customers,” the minister said.

Other regulations, which Seymour did not comment on, included requiring hair to be swept up at regular intervals and for hairdressers not to smoke tobacco at work.

“The review will look at whether current rules are suited to a billion-dollar industry made up of mostly small businesses while ensuring public health is protected,” Seymour said.

“It will be a short and sharp review ... The review is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2025.”

- RNZ

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