Can I apply for a liquor licence before my premises are finished?

Can I trade before I get my licence?

How do I obtain a General Manager's Certificate?

How long does a Managers Certificate or liquor licence last?

How long does it take to process a liquor license application?

Is it wrong to promote cheap drinks?

My General Manager's Certificate has expired, what do I have to do to renew it?

What does each of the designations in the sale of Liquor Legislation mean?

What happens once my application has been lodged?

What kind of licence do I need?

Why are so many people involved in the licensing process?

What if I need more information?

Can I apply for a liquor licence before my premises are finished?

Yes, the district licensing agency can start processing your application but no licence will be issued until the necessary clearances (with respect to building work required) are provided.

The environmental health officer for the Central Otago District Council may ask you to arrange a final inspection once the kitchen is complete.

Can I trade before I get my licence?

No, you cannot sell or supply alcohol without a licence. However, if the premises have a current licence at the time you take over the business, you may be able to obtain a temporary authority. This permits you to operate for three months, based on the existing licence conditions.

How do I obtain a general manager's certificate?

You (the applicant) must have been in the industry for a minimum of three months.

You (the applicant) must also obtain a certificate from a recognised training provider that states you have attended and passed a course on Sale of Liquor Act awareness. At the time of application, that qualification must be no older than six months.

How long does a manager’s certificate or liquor licence last?

Manager’s certificate - This is issued for one year, and then an application for renewal should be made. It may then be renewed for a period of three years providing there are no police or liquor licensing inspector's concerns/opposition. Normally if you have received a conviction, say, for excess breath alcohol, the liquor licensing inspector and/or police may recommend a one or two year renewal depending on the seriousness of the conviction. In those cases, the application would be sent to the liquor licensing authority for determination.

On/off club licences - These are issued for one year, and may be renewed for a period of up to three years. If any or all of the reporting bodies indicate that the premises have been a concern during previous inspection visits, the application may need to be determined by way of a hearing.

Special licences - These are valid only for a particular occasion or event, or series of occasions or events, or social gathering as specified in the licence.

How long does it take to process a liquor licence application?

Temporary authority - the application should be lodged 10 working days before the takeover date. Providing all reports and information are received, and neither the police nor liquor licensing inspector has any objection, the application will normally be approved within one to two weeks. Application Fee: $132

Special licence - the application must be lodged 20 working days before the date of the function/s. The same conditions as for a temporary authority apply. Application Fee: $63

On/off club licences - a premises licence can take some months to process, as various reports are required and a certain period must be allowed for public comment on the application. Application Fee: $776

Note: application delays can arise because of insufficient information being provided by an applicant, an applicant's criminal convictions, objections received from the general public, or concerns held by the police, the medical officer of health’s inspector or the general public.

Manager’s certificate - This process would normally take from four to six weeks. The application is sent to the police for their report, then to the licensing inspector. If recommended, the certificate would be issued in about four weeks. If opposed by the police and/or licensing inspector, it would be referred for a public hearing in which case the process could take some three to five months. Application Fee: $132

Is it wrong to promote cheap drinks?

Promotions run on the premises must be consistent with the business’s host responsibility policy. Some promotions are contrary to the object of the Sale of Liquor Act (section 4) in that they promote liquor abuse. Examples of this sort of promotion would be "All you can drink for $25", "Caribbean night, 50 cent drinks until 12 midnight".

My general manager's certificate has expired: what do I have to do to renew it?

Those managers whose records are on file with the Central Otago district licensing agency will be sent a renewal application form before their certificate expires. As the form will be sent to the last known postal address, please ensure the agency is informed of any changes.

A manager’s certificate cannot be renewed after it has expired. An application for a new certificate will be required. If your training was undertaken more than two years ago, you would have to attend another Sale of Liquor Act course. In this situation, your application would be dealt with as a new application. If issued, it would be initially for one year and renewed every three years thereafter.

What do each of the designations in the Sale of Liquor legislation mean?

Restricted - No one on the premises under 18 years of age.

Supervised - 18 years or over, or at any age if accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Liquor will not be sold to anyone under the age of 18. Liquor may be supplied to someone under 18 by their parent or legal guardian.

Undesignated - People of any age may be present but liquor will not be sold to anyone under 18 years of age. Liquor may be supplied to someone under 18 by their parent or legal guardian.

What happens once my application has been lodged?

The district licensing agency forwards copies of the application and supporting documents to the inspector, the police and, where relevant, Public Health South, for their reports.

Reports by these bodies may involve an interview and/or a visit to the premises. Once all reports have been obtained, and the applicant has provided copies of the public notices placed in the newspaper, the application can proceed. Providing no objections are received the district licensing agency will determine the application, otherwise the application will be forwarded to the liquor licensing authority in Wellington for determination.

What kind of licence do I need?

On licence - Provides for sales "on" particular premises such as cafes, taverns and hotels. The area is specifically defined on the plans provided and may include some outside areas.

Club - Similar to an on licence but provides for a specific group of people (club members and guests).

Off - Provides for sale of liquor which is to be consumed elsewhere. Some hotels and taverns may hold both an off and on licence.

BYO - An endorsed on licence that allows the consumption of liquor brought to the premises by persons who are there for the purpose of dining.

Temporary authority - Allows the new owner of licensed premises to trade on the previous licence until a new licence can be issued in the new owner’s name.

Special licence - Allows for the sale of liquor at special occasions. Normally used to extend the hours or area of licensed premises or for one-off events.

Why are so many people involved in the licensing process?

Because the Sale of Liquor Act requires reports on each application from the following people:

On and Club licence applications - police, medical officer of health, and the licensing inspector

Off licence, some special licences, and all managers’ certificates - police and the licensing inspector

Temporary authorities – police and the liquor licensing inspector

The district licensing authority also recommends that applications for temporary authorities be forwarded to the police for a report.

What if I need more information?

For more information on liquor licensing please email Central Otago District Licensing Agency at liquor@codc.govt.nz. Alternatively, phone 03 440 0615 and ask for the Council’s licensing inspector/officer.