Liquor Licensing
Last updated: 14 Nov, 2024 11:07am
Applying for a Licence
What kind of license?
Object to a license
Forms & Factsheets
Liquor Licensing
The sale of alcohol requires a licence under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. A licence is issued to a person, company or other legal entity in relation to a premise. Liquor licences cannot be transferred from one person to another, or from one premise to another.
A certified manager must be on duty any time liquor is being sold or supplied to the public at a licenced premise. The manager is responsible for complying with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and any conditions of the licence.
If you have any questions please contact the Licensing Inspector or phone 06 379 4030.
Applying for a Liquor Licence
The sale of alcohol requires a licence under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. A licence is issued to a person, company or other legal entity in relation to a premise. Liquor licences cannot be transferred from one person to another, or from one premise to another.
A certified manager must be on duty any time liquor is being sold or supplied to the public at a licenced premise.
The manager is responsible for complying with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and any conditions of the licence.
Get your applications in early!
It takes 20 working days (40 working days for a large event) to process a special licence, and 8-12 weeks for on/off/club licences. If you have any questions please contact the Licensing Inspector or phone 06 379 4030.
What type of licence do I need?
The licence you need depends on the type of business or activities you are planning. Click the boxes below to see each type of licence and which kind of activity it applies to.
On-licence
For selling or supplying liquor to be consumed on a premises like a hotel, bar, café, restaurant or venue.
On licence application [includes renewals and variations]
Off-licence
For selling or supplying liquor to be consumed away from the premises, like a supermarket, bottle store or vineyard/winery.
Off licence application (includes renewals and variations)
Club licence
Club licence application (includes renewals)
Special licence
If you want to sell or supply alcohol at an event (or series of events), you’ll need a special licence.
Examples of when you’ll need a special licence include:
- festival
- concert
- sporting event
- boat or bus trip
- ticketed event
- function in public venue where public access is not restricted
A special licence may be issued for one day or for a number of days, but is only valid for the timeframe specified on the licence
You’ll need to submit your application at least 20 working days before your event.
Temporary authority
This gives you time to lodge a new application. A temporary authority cannot be issued to a club.
Temporary authority application
Manager's certificates
Managers need to be at least 20 years old, have appropriate qualifications, have at least six months experience and be currently working in the industry.
Variation or cancellation of conditions of licence
If you want to vary or cancel a condition on your existing licence, and do not want to wait until your renewal, you can apply for a variation or cancellation of conditions on your licence.
Variation or cancellation of conditions of licence
Object to an alcohol licence
Any person may object to the grant or renewal of a licence. Your objection must be filed with the Carterton District Licensing Committee within 25 working days of the first public notice appearing.
Criteria for objection
The Sale & Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (section 105 and 131) outlines the following as the only grounds for objecting to the application for a new, or renewed alcohol licence. Please note that trade-related objections from other licensed businesses are not valid grounds for objection under the Act.
New alcohol licence applications – new owner takes over existing licensed premises
You can object about the suitability of the applicant. This only includes situations where the new owner takes on the same conditions as the existing licence.
All other new alcohol licence applications
You can object about:
- The object of the Act, i.e., that:
- The sale, supply and consumption of alcohol should be undertaken safely and responsibly; and the harm caused by the excessive or inappropriate consumption of alcohol should be minimised.
- Suitability of the applicant.
- Relevant local alcohol policy.
- Days and hours when alcohol will be sold.
- The design and layout of any proposed premises.
Make an objection
If you’d like to object to a new or renewed alcohol licence, you’ll need to:
- Notify the District Licensing Committee in writing that you wish to object and the reasons why [you must refer to relevant criteria]. Contact details below.
- Make sure to include your full name, address, contact telephone number,and email address.
- Your objection must be filed with the District Licensing Committee within 25 working days of the first public notice announcing an application has been made.
Contact information
- Post to: Carterton District Council, PO Box 8, Carterton, 5740
- In-person to: Carterton District Council office, 28 Holloway St, Carterton
- Email to: info@cdc.govt.nz
What happens next?
When the District Licensing Committee receives your objection, they will:
- Send you an acknowledgment.
- Send a copy of the objection to the applicant
- If the District Licensing Committee believes that the objection meets the criteria of section 105 or 131 of the Act, they will notify all involved parties of a date and time for a hearing. You can choose not to attend the hearing, but your objection will have a greater effect if you attend the hearing in person and speak in support of your submission.
How to make an objection
Visit Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand for information on help in preparing a written objection or preparing for a hearing.
Wairarapa Community Law Centres can help prepare your objections and for your hearing.
Complaints About Existing Licensed Premises
To make a complaint about an existing licensed premise or the terms of a licence, please contact us on 06 379 4030 or email info@cdc.govt.nz.
Forms & Factsheets
Factsheets
A number of factsheets are available to help inform businesses and their staff, as well as members of the public, about how they are affected by changes under the Act.
- The Ministry of Justice website has a summary of the alcohol laws.
- Information on managers certificates under the new law (including transitional arrangements and the LCQ bridging test is available at Managers certificates – qualifications and training
- The Health Promotion Agency, together with the Police, have produced factsheets for bars and restaurants, clubs and bottle stores as well as information about supply of alcohol to under-18s
- Wairarapa Local Alcohol Policy
Application Forms
| Title | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Application Form: Manager’s Certificate Renewal & Questionnaire | August 8, 2024 | |
| Application Form: Variation or Cancellation of Conditions | August 25, 2022 | |
| Application Form: Temporary Authority | August 25, 2022 | |
| Application Form: Special Licence [on- or off-site] | August 25, 2022 | |
| Application Form: Managers Certificate | August 25, 2022 | |
| Application Form: Club Licence or Renewal of Club Licence | August 25, 2022 | |
| Application Form: On Licence | August 25, 2022 | |
| Application Form: Off Licence | August 25, 2022 |