Liquor Licensing
Last updated: 28 Jun, 2023 07:28pm
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
For selling or supplying liquor to be consumed on club premises by members of the club and their guests, or by members of other clubs with reciprocal visiting rights.
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
If you are a new owner of a premises that already has a current licence, you can apply for a temporary authority that allows you to trade, for a period of up to three months, under the licence’s existing conditions and terms.
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
Manager’s certificate application
Manager’s certificate renewal application
Notice of management change
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
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 | August 25, 2022 | |
| 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 |