Liquor license information

If you own, operate or manage a business or venue, where alcohol will be sold or supplied, you need to be familiar with the laws and regulations that apply to liquor.

You must ensure that you have:

• the correct licences
• a host responsibility programme in place to care for your patrons.

Liquor is licensed to promote safe and legal drinking.

Which licence do you require?

If you want to sell or supply alcohol, you must apply for the appropriate liquor licence. Each licence has its own application form, a non-refundable fee and requirements for specific additional documentation.

On Licence

This allows you to sell or supply alcohol for consumption.  An On-Licence may be issued for building premises and conveyances:

• Bar
• Pub
• Tavern
• Hotel
• Night club
• Restaurant or café
• Conveyances - bus, boat or ship, aircraft, train, vehicle
• endorsed premises - BYO.

Off Licence

This allows you to sell, supply or deliver alcohol for consumption off the premises.  An Off-Licence may be issued for:

• A "stand alone" bottle shop or store
• A supermarket or grocery store
• A brewery
• A business selling gift baskets that contain alcohol
• A winery

Club Licence

This allows clubs to sell; supply and serve alcohol for consumption, on club premises to club members, their guests and members of clubs with reciprocal visiting rights.

• club - sport, social or corporate.

Special Licence

This allows the holder, to sell and supply alcohol, on the premises or conveyance named in the licence, to any person or persons attending the occasion or event approved by the licence, for the duration of the specific occasion or event.

• sporting event
• wine tasting
• bus trip
• party where alcohol is being sold
• public party where alcohol is being sold or supplied
• party on leased premises where alcohol is being sold or supplied
• event where tickets are being sold. 

Temporary Authority

If you have purchased a licensed business, you must apply for temporary authority to operate until your own licence has been approved.  You need to apply for temporary authority at least 10 working days before you take-over the business.

Manager's certificate

A certified general manager must be on duty at all times when liquor is being sold or supplied to the public except in the case of most special licences and endorsed licences.

Clubs must appoint at least one manager who holds either a club or a general manager's certificate.

If the certified manager is ill, absent, dismissed or resigned, a licensee can appoint a temporary or acting manager. These people must be adequately trained and council and the police notified.

Applying for a liquor licence

Applications for a liquor licence must be made to the Gisborne District Licensing Agency (DLA) on the appropriate form with supporting information, including a Liquor Premises Compliance Certificate. Once lodged, applications are sent to the police and, in some cases, the Medical Officer of Health who then give a report to the DLA.

All applications are required to be publicly notified by the applicant in the Gisborne Herald. Once the above reports and supporting documents have been received, the licensing inspector will write a final report. If the application is within council policy and no objections are received, a licence will be issued. Otherwise, the application will proceed to a hearing.

Fees and charges

The fees are set by the Sale of Liquor Regulations over which council has no control (except Liquor Premise Compliance Certificate).