Alcohol licences

If you want to sell or supply alcohol in Palmerston North, you must have a current alcohol licence.

Summer alcohol licence closedown: 20 December to 15 January

The statutory closedown period for alcohol licence applications is from 20 December 2025 to 15 January 2026.

You can still apply for an alcohol licence up to and during this period, but we will take the closedown into account when determining the deadline for objections.

On these pages you can find out all about alcohol licensing in Palmy, including:

  • what type of alcohol licence you need for your business and how to apply
  • your responsibilities as a licensee
  • how to renew your licence or vary its conditions
  • manager's certificates – why you need one and how to get it
  • which businesses have applied for licences and how to object
  • who's been granted a licence or manager's certificate. 

Types of alcohol licences

Find out which alcohol licence applies to your business.

Alcohol licence application forms

Application forms, guidance documents and checklists for all alcohol licence types, including manager's certificates and renewals.

Apply for a new manager's certificate

A manager's certificate allows you to work as a duty manager in a business that sells or supplies alcohol.

How to object to an alcohol licence

New legislation means it's now easier for communities to have a say in alcohol licensing decisions.

District Licensing Committee decisions

The District Licensing Committee considers all alcohol licence applications in Palmerston North. Find out who's on the committee and who's been granted a licence or manager's certificate.

Town planning & building certificates for alcohol licence applications

You must have these certificates before you apply for a new alcohol licence. They show that your premises are safe.

Alcohol licence public notices   Make a complaint about a business that sells alcohol

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