Food stalls trading from the Queenstown lakefront will be banned as a result of persistent breaches and resistance from stallholders, according to council staff.
The year-long food stalls trading ban already in place along the Queenstown lakefront, which has been extended and expanded, is set to combat public health concerns, litter, and traders blocking public footpaths. So far, the current ban has only been partly successful.
The Council inspected nine pop-up food stalls last year, all of which were found to have breached basic safety requirements, such as no proper hand washing facilities, poor temperature control and inadequate food storage.
Police were called during New Year’s Eve celebrations due to what council staff referred to as “severe and unnecessary aggression” from food stall traders. It was reported that several traders had refused to vacate the event zones.
Local businesses have complained that pop-up food stalls often leave fat residue and oil stains on public footpaths, and the Queenstown Business Chamber argued that unregulated stalls were unfair competition for brick-and-mortar businesses.
The initial trial, which began in April 2025, allowed food stall traders with existing permits to operate until their permits expired. No new permits were issued. This is expected to continue under the ban’s expansion.
Council staff also said that unlawful trading continued despite the ban being in place, including new traders who had not been granted permission, and existing traders who chose to ignore the ban.
Many traders have said that the ban is unfair, especially given that many customers travel from great distances just to visit their stalls.
Some claim they have asked to sit down with Council representatives in order to find a compromise for both parties, but have so far only been ignored.
The Queenstown District Street Food Vendors Society started a Give a Little page to cover legal action expenses.
The page said this was about standing together to defend fairness, transparency and community participation in decisions that affect everyone.
“This fight is about much more than food carts; it’s about public space, community involvement, economic fairness, and the right for local voices to be heard in decisions that shape our town’s character and opportunities.”
The decision to expand the ban was unanimously agreed on by all councillors.
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