Environmental Health - Liquor Licensing

The sale and supply of liquor requires a licence. There are a variety of liquor licences and associated application processes under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989. Further information is available below or by contacting the Council's Customer Services Centre on 295 1300.

Liquor Licensing

• Sale of Liquor Act 1989
• Liquor Licences
  1. On licence
  2. Off licence
  3. Club licence
  4. Special licence
• Planning and Building Approval Requirements
• Fees
• Liquor Licensing Process
• Licence Application forms
• Temporary Authority to operate a licence
• Renewal of an existing licence
• Time Frame for processing new licences and renewals
• Manager's Certificates
• Lodging an application
• Objections
• Useful Links

Objections

The Act has enabled an increasing number of liquor outlets to open, often for greater hours of trade, but has also given local communities more say on how alcohol should be supplied in their area.

Any person can object to a licence if they can show they have a greater interest in the application than the public generally. However, the objection must be based on relevant liquor licensing criteria and not on issues relating to the location of the premises and/or perceived neighbourhood effects. These are controlled by rules of the Council's District Plan.

For that reason, all applicants for a liquor licence must produce evidence that the proposed premises have met the planning and building requirements of the Council.

Further information on objections to a liquor licence is available here.

Useful Links

Where can I obtain a copy of the Sale of Liquor Act?

Copies of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 and regulations can be purchased or ordered from Bennetts Government Bookshops or viewed on line at www.legislation.govt.nz

Industry contacts

The Hospitality Association (HANZ) is a voluntary trade association representing over 2000 hospitality businesses. Members can access information about liquor licensing matters and resource material. Contact: HANZ, PO Box 503, Wellington, ph 04 385 1369, facsimile: 04 384 8044 or email nsc@hanz.org.nz.

Sport Clubs

The Sporting Clubs Association of New Zealand (SCANZ) is a membership organisation and can assist sporting clubs with a liquor licensing matters. Members are provided with regular updates and advice on matters pertaining to the Sale of Liquor Act 1989. SCANZ has local contacts around the country. Contact: Chief Executive PO Box 1080, Dunedin, ph 0800 655 889, fax 03 455 8697 or email sportingclubs@xtra.co.nz.

At www.alcohol.org.nz you'll find information about host responsibility, resources, information, alcohol and sport, drinking guide, Te Ropu Maori, links to other websites.