Liquor Licensing
Introduction
If you are a bar owner or operator, club manager, restaurateur or manager of a venue where alcohol will be sold or supplied, you need to be familiar with the laws and regulations that apply to liquor.
The requirement for licences and the criteria the Authority consider in granting them are set out in the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 and Regulations. The Act and its amendments can be viewed online by visiting www.knowledge-basket.co.nz/gpacts/
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.
What is a Liquor Licence?
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
Enables you to sell or supply alcohol for consumption on:
- premises – bar, pub, tavern, nightclub, hotel, restaurant, café.
- conveyances – bus, boat, plane, train, vehicle.
- endorsed premises – BYO.
- On Licence Brochure
Off Licence
Enables you to sell, supply or deliver alcohol for consumption off the premises.
- Premises – bottle stores, wine stores, supermarkets, gift baskets.
- Endorsed – caterers, auctioneers.
- Off License Brochure
Club Licence
Enables you 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, corporate.
- Club Licence Brochure
Special Licence
Enables you to sell or supply alcohol on a given premises or conveyance for the duration of a specific occasion or event such as a:
- 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.
- Special Licence (Premises) Brochure
back to top
What is a 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. 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 the District Licensing Agency, the Liquor Licensing Authority and the Police notified.Clubs must appoint at least one manager who holds either a club or a general manager’s certificate.
- Managers Certificate Brochure
Temporary Authority
If you have purchased a licensed business, you must apply for temporary authority to operate until your own licence has been approved.
- Temporary Authority Guide
back to top
Applying for a Liquor Licence
Applications for a liquor licence must be made to the Palmerston North District Licensing Agency (DLA) on the appropriate form with supporting information, including a Liquor Premises Compliance Certificate. Once lodged, applications are forwarded to the Police and, in some cases, the Medical Officer of Health who then forwards a report to the DLA. All applications are required to be publicly notified by the applicant in the Manawatu Standard. 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.
Please contact the Palmerston North City Council on (06) 356 8199 for further information.
The fees are set by the Sale of Liquor Regulations over which Council has no control (except Liquor Premise Compliance Certificate).
| Item |
Charge |
| On Licence |
$776 |
| On Licence renewal |
$776 |
| On Licence variation or cancellation of conditions |
$776 |
| |
|
| On Licence (BYO) |
$132 |
| On Licence (BYO) renewal |
$132 |
| On Licence (BYO) variation or cancellation of conditions |
$132 |
| |
|
| Off Licence |
$776 |
| Off Licence renewal |
$776 |
| Off Licence variation or cancellation of conditions |
$776 |
| |
|
| Club Licence |
$776 |
| Club Licence renewal |
$776 |
| Club Licence variation or cancellation of conditions |
$776 |
| |
|
| Special Licence |
$63 |
| Temporary Authority |
$132 |
| |
|
| Manager's Certificate |
$132 |
| Manager's Certificate renewal |
$132 |
| |
|
| Liquor Premise Compliance Certificate |
$200 |
If you want to object to an application for a liquor licence, you must be in a position of ‘greater interest’ than the general public. This means you are someone who is likely to be more affected by the licence than most other people.For example, a resident living in the same street as the proposed premises is in a position of ‘greater interest’ compared to someone living 10 km away. Even if that person living 10 km away is concerned about the effects of alcohol on the community, they do not have a ‘greater interest’ in the application.
back to top
Grounds for Objection
Grounds for objection include:
- suitability of the applicant
- days and hours liquor is to be sold
- days and hours the premises will be used for club activities
- proposed designation of the premises
- lack of enforcement for the minimum age requirements
- lack of non alcoholic refreshments and/or availability of food
- the sale and supply of goods and services other than liquor or food.
Lodging the Objection
To object to an application, you must write a letter within 10 working days of the first public notice that appears in the newspaper. Your letter must:
- identify the proposed premises
- state your reasons for objection
- be addressed to the Secretary of the Palmerston North District Licensing Agency (DLA).
DLA staff will acknowledge your objection and send a copy of your letter to the applicant. Once the application is complete, if any valid objections have been lodged it will be forwarded to the national Liquor Licensing Authority (LLA) with all relevant objection letters. If the LLA believes it has enough information available, it will make a determination by way of a public hearing. The LLA will notify you in writing of the hearing date and time for you to present your concerns in person. If your objection is in the form of a petition, please appoint a spokesperson.
back to top
Liquor Licensing Authority (LLA) Hearings
At the LLA public hearing, the Court Registrar will ask all people who wish to have their say to complete an appearance slip for the file's records. The Judge will then explain the order of proceedings. Usually, the liquor licence applicant or the applicant's agent begins proceedings by stating their case, giving evidence and calling witnesses in support of the application. The Police and DLA follow with their matters of opposition or concern. Finally, the objectors have their say. All parties are given the opportunity to ask the witnesses questions. Once the hearing is complete, the LLA may reserve its decision. This means it retires to consider the material presented and review the application. If a decision is reserved, it takes between four and six weeks for a decision to be issued.
Any objections to Special Licenses or Temporary Authorities are dealt with in a similar manner but at a DLA hearing.