Prepare Your Application

Examples include:

• Restaurant (including BYO)
• Bar or tavern
• Theatre or cinema
• Hotel
• Function centre
• Winery cellar door

What you need to apply:

• Copy of your building and planning certificate or confirmation it is processing
• A copy of your drinks and food menu
• Your food registration number
• Host responsibility policy – see Host Responsibility Guide
• Building owner consent supporting the sale of alcohol and confirmation term of tenure
• A photo of the main entrance
• Street map showing the location of the premises A detailed A4 scale map of the premises showing;

• The areas used for the consumption of alcohol (include outdoor areas)
• The areas that are to be designated (restricted, supervised or undesignated)
• The principal entrance, Layout of the interior of the premises – where tables, chairs, toilets and kitchen are located  

• Certificate of incorporation or partnership agreement if applicable.
• Copies of each current manager's certificate for those nominated to manage the premises 

New On Licence Application Form 

Examples include:

• Supermarket
• Grocery store
• Bottle store
• Hotel or tavern that sells alcohol to take away
• Remote sales businesses (online or mail order)
• Winery cellar door

What you need to apply: 

• Copy of your building and planning certificate or confirmation it is processing
• Drink Safe policy – this is to outline the strategies that your premises will implement as a responsible supplier of alcohol. The policy should cover (but not be limited to);

• What low alcohol and non-alcohol drinks will be provided
• Staff training and the refusal of service to prohibited persons
• Information relating to alcohol promotions and signage
• What security systems will be in place 

• Building owner consent supporting the sale of alcohol and confirmation term of tenure
• A photo of the main entrance
• Street map showing the location of the premises
• Detailed A4 scale map of the interior of the premises showing:

• The areas used for the sale of alcohol
• The areas that are to be designated (restricted, supervised or undesignated)
• The principal entrance
• Layout of the interior of the premises

• For supermarket and grocery stores; the single alcohol area where alcohol will be displayed must be clearly shown
• Proposed permitted area for the display and promotion of alcohol, and any proposed sub-area
• A copy of your Certificate of Incorporation if you are a company   
• Copies of each current manager's certificate for those nominated to manage the premises
• For grocery stores; A statement of 12 months sales figures (verified by an accountant) showing the range of goods sold (as required by regulation 12 & 13 of The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Regulations 2013) 

New Off Licence Application Form 

Examples include:

• RSA
• Sports club
• Working men’s club
• Social club

What you need to apply: 

• Copy of your building and planning certificate or confirmation it is processing.
• A copy of your drinks and food menu
• Your food registration number
• Host responsibility policy – see Host Responsibility Guide
• Building owner consent supporting the sale of alcohol and confirmation term of tenure
• A photo of the main entrance
• Street map showing the location of the premises A detailed A4 scale map of the premises showing;

• The areas used for the consumption of alcohol (include outdoor areas)
• The areas that are to be designated (restricted, supervised, or undesignated)
• The principal entrance
• Layout of the interior of the premises – where tables, chairs, toilets, and kitchen are located  

• A copy of your Certificate of Incorporation
• Copy of club rules and constitution
• Copies of each current manager's certificate for those nominated to manage the premises

New Club Licence Application Form

Examples include:

• Wine tastings
• Private functions (birthdays, weddings)
• Farmers' markets
• Festivals
• Concerts
• Sporting events
• Ticketed events
• Functions in public venue where public access is not restricted

Please note: A special licence can be issued for more than one day if the events are of the same nature 

When you need to apply:

You need to apply for a special licence at least 20 working days before your event. Working days don't include public holidays, weekends and the period from 20 December to 15 January inclusive. 

If you submit your application less than 20 working days before your event, you will need to include a reason why the application was late as a waiver will be required from the District Licensing Committee to lodge the late application.  

Large Events – please contact an Environmental Health Officer prior to lodging the application to discuss. For more information visit Alcohol.org.nz

What you need to apply: 

• Detailed floor plan (to scale, A4 size or larger) of the premises or site showing: 

• The areas to be used for the sale or supply of alcohol 
• The areas that are to be designated restricted or supervised 
• The principal entrance 
• Location of any food outlets and/or other relevant activities 
• Highlight the licenced area (everywhere alcohol is to be consumed) 

• Food and drinks menu(s) including non and low alcoholic beverages
• A written statement from the owner of the building/property giving their consent for alcohol to be sold or supplied on the premises/property
• Copies of each managers' certificate for those nominated to manage the sale and/or supply of alcohol
• Details of the event(s) e.g. program of activities / copy of ticket or invitation / promotional material etc
• An alcohol management plan (for events over 400 attendees) - see Alcohol Management Plan

Special Licence Application Form

Check out this Managers Guide.

You need to: 

• Be 20 years or older
• Hold current employment in a licensed premises
• Have six months experience in a licensed premises in New Zealand (if you do not have six months experience, your application will be put on hold until you do)
• Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident or have a valid work visa for New Zealand 
• Hold a Licence Controller Qualification.

What you need to apply: 

• A colour copy of your photo identification (Drivers Licence, Passport or 18+ Card/Kiwi Access Card)
• A copy of your LCQ certificate or proof from your training provider that you have successfully completed unit standards 4646 and 16705
• A copy of your LCQ Bridging Test certificate (if applicable) 
• A letter from your employer confirming;

• Your employment 
• How long you have worked there
• Any relevant duties

• If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, you must also provide: 

• Colour copy of your current passport 
• Copy of current visa 

New Managers Certificate Application Form

What you need to apply: 

• Proof of right, title estate or interest in premises e.g. copy of the sale and purchase agreement of the business and sale and purchase agreement or lease agreement for the building
• Detailed floor plan (to scale, A4 size or larger) of the current premises layout
• Copies of each current manager’s certificate for those nominated to manage the premises
• A copy of the existing licence Letter outlining: Reasons for the application, experience of the applicant and proposed trading commencement date 

You should know - For an On Licence, you will need to supply food for customers. This means that you will also need a Food Business Registration.

Temporary Authority Application Form

What you need to apply: 

• Floor plan showing the layout and uses of the building including any outdoor area
• Show areas where alcohol is to be sold, supplied or consumed Certificate of Title (CT) - less than 2 months old
• If relevant, a copy of the most recent resource consent and/or any previous planning certificates for the premise
• Copy of current building warrant of fitness (if the building has one) 

Alcohol Building and Planning Certificate Application Form(PDF, 165KB) (PDF, 165KB)