If you own, operate or manage a business or venue where alcohol will be sold or supplied, it's important to understand your legal responsibilities.
You'll need to apply for the correct type of alcohol licence and have a host responsibility programme in place to ensure the wellbeing of your patrons. You should also read our Local Alcohol Policy, which outlines any additional local requirements. Local Alcohol Policy
Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, there are 4 types of licences: on-licence, off-licence, club licence and special licence. Each licence type has its own application form, a non-refundable fee, and specific supporting information.
Applications for special licence and new alcohol licences required for the Christmas/New Year period, must be lodged by mid-November with all required documents to be processed in time.
Special licence
Planning an event where alcohol will be sold or supplied? You may need a Special Licence. This licence is required if you're:
- hosting an event or celebration where alcohol is sold
- selling tickets to a function where alcohol is supplied.
A Special Licence allows alcohol to be sold or supplied on the premises or conveyance named on the licence, to attendees approved under the licence, for the duration of the event.
Examples of occasions that may require a Special Licence include::
- sporting event
- quiz night
- wine tasting
- bus trip where alcohol is consumed
- private or public party where alcohol is sold or supplied
- parties on leased premises involving alcohol sales or supply
- event where tickets sales include alcohol.
Submit your completed application at least 20 working days before your event.
Holiday period reminder: If your event falls between 20 December and 5 February, you must lodge your application by mid November.
You will need to include the following:
- the Special Licence application form.
- the Supplement Form - required if your application covers a series of related events
Note if you're applying for a series of events on one application, the events need to be related. - the Public Notice form - required for Class 1 events.
Licence fees are based on the size of events:
- Class 1 - one large event, more than 3 medium events, or more than 12 small events
- Class 2 - 3-12 small events, or 2-3 medium events
- Class 3 - 1 or 2 small events
An event that we believe on reasonable grounds, that will have a patronage of:
- Small size event - of less than 100 attendees
- Medium size event - will have between 100 and 400 attendees
- Large size event - will have more than 400 attendees
Apply on the Special Licence form
Special licence application forms
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On-Licence
An On-Licence allows you to sell or supply alcohol for consumption on the licensed premises or conveyance. This includes:
- bars, pubs, taverns, hotels
- night clubs, restaurants, cafés
- conveyances such as buses, boats or ships, aircraft, trains, or vehicles
- endorsed premises such as BYO
Apply using the On-Licence application form
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Off-Licence
An Off-Licence allows you to sell, supply or deliver alcohol for consumption off the premises. An Off-Licence may be issued for a:
- stand-alone bottle shops or stores
- supermarkets or grocery stores
- breweries, wineries
Apply using the Off-Licence application form
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Club licence
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.
Club licence application forms
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Manager's Certificate
A Manager's Certiciate authorises you to manage any licenced premises holding an on-licence or off-licence - such as a bar, hotel, tavern, club, or supermarket.
A certified manager must be on duty whenever alcohol is being sold or supplied to the public. Some Special Licences, clubs or endorsed licences may include exceptions, which will be stated on the licence.
Clubs are required to appoint at least one certified manager.
If a certified manager is ill, absent, dismissed, or has resigned, a licensee can appoint a temporary or acting manager who is adequately trained. If the acting manager will be in place for more than 48 hours, you must notify Council and Police.
To apply for a Manager's Certificate, you must:
- be at least 20 years old
- be currently employed at a licenced premises
- have at least 6 months' recent experience working in a licenced premises in New Zealand.
To apply, complete the Manager’s Certificate application form and provide all required supporting documents.
Once lodged, your application is sent to the Police, who will conduct background checks and may object to the application.
At the same time, Council’s licensing inspectors will:
- review the application
- interview you as the applicant
- prepare a report for the District Licensing Committee.
The District Licensing Committee will then decide whether to issue the certificate and under what conditions.
- If there's an objection, a hearing will be held
- If there are no objections, the application is usually considered ‘on the papers’ without a hearing.
All managers must hold a Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) issued on or after 18 December 2013.
Heading into the festive season?
If you need a certificates to cover Christmas and New Year, make sure to lodge your application before mid November.
Manager's Certificate application forms
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Notice of management change
Let us know about any staff changes, including
- new manager appointments
- temporary and acting manager appointments
- departing managers.
You must complete the Notice of Management Change form within 2 working days of the appointment or termination.
Notify us on the form
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Alcohol premises compliance certificate
Before applying for an alcohol licence, new licensees must complete the Alcohol Premises Compliance Certificate form. You'll need this certificate:
- if the premise has never held an alcohol licence, or
- if you're applying for a variation to an existing licence following building renovations.
This certificate outlines any Council requirements or consents that may apply to your licence application.
Application form
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Helpful links
- Ministry of Justice - for more information on alcohol licensing and regulations - www.justice.govt.nz
- Service IQ - for training and qualification details related to Manager's Certificate - www.serviceiq.org.nz
- New Zealand Legislation - for the full Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act and related regulations - www.legislation.govt.nz