Renew your manager's certificate

You need to renew your manager's certificate before it expires to keep working at a licensed business. If you don't, you'll have to apply for a new one.

Step 1.Apply at least 20 working days before your current certificate expires

You need to submit your renewal and payment before the expiry date. If your current certificate has already expired, you'll need to apply for a new manager's certificate.

Step 2.Check you qualify to apply

To renew your certificate, you must be:

  • currently employed at a licensed premises in Palmerston North, or
  • intending to start work at a licensed premises in Palmerston North.

Step 3.Get your documents ready

You'll need to upload electronic copies of these documents when you apply  – even if nothing has changed since the last time you applied:

  • your licence controller qualification certificate
  • photo identification, for example, your driver's licence or passport
  • your manager's certificate (if it was issued outside Palmerston North). 

Step 4.Complete and submit the online application form 

Apply now

Step 5.What you need to do next

  • pay the application fee 
  • attend an interview with an alcohol licensing inspector. After we receive your application, we'll contact you to arrange a time. 

We send your application to the following agencies to enquire into and report on:

  • Council's alcohol licensing inspector
  • NZ Police (local branch).

You (or your employer) must pay the fee of $316.25 before we can process your application. This fee is not refundable or transferable.

Once we've received your application, we'll email you an invoice and payment details. You can pay:

Please note, we can't start processing your application until we confirm payment.

You'll need to attend an interview with one of our alcohol licensing inspectors. This is to assess that you remain suitable to control a licensed premises. The inspector will ask what steps you've taken to manage the supply and sale of alcohol where you work, and reduce alcohol-related harm.

Your application and reports from the agencies involved will be passed on to the Palmerston North District Licensing Committee (DLC) to make a decision whether to grant the renewal of your manager’s certificate.

If there's no opposition to your application you will be notified that the manager’s certificate has been granted. If there are any objections or opposition to your application, you'll be asked to attend a public hearing before the DLC.