“At all times when liquor is available for sale to the public from an On or Off Licensed premise, a Manager (holding a current General Manager’s Certificate) must be on duty. The Manager is responsible for compliance with the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 and the conditions of the premises licence.” (Sale of Liquor Amendment Act 1999)

This does not apply to BYO premises, or some special licences.

The name of the manager on duty must always be displayed on the licensed premises.

For further information, see appointment of managers

There are two types of managers’ certificates. These are:

• General Manager’s Certificate:
  Authorises the holder to manage any licensed premises.

• Club Manager’s Certificate:
  Authorises the holder to manage any premises where a club licence is in force.

Applications for managers’ licences

The Central Otago district licensing agency (03 440 0615) expects applicants to have the following qualifications before applying for a manager’s certificate:

• a proven background in the liquor industry (generally recent)
• a recently (generally within the last 12 months) completed and recognised sale of liquor training course, or NZQA Unit 4646.

Application forms are available from the Central Otago district licensing agency (Central Otago District Council). If you are living in Central Otago but working in another area then you will need to submit your application to district licensing agency in that area.

Material required

The following items must accompany an application for a manager’s certificate:

• Two (at least) character references provided by people (not related) who have known you for at least two or three years.
• Evidence (including references) of previous experience/employment, namely, a current CV showing work history relating to licensed premises and other employment.
• Proof of knowledge of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 (refer to the section on training).
• Evidence to support any other relevant training claimed (e.g. in-house courses).

• Evidence to support any other qualifications claimed (e.g. photocopies of certificates).

• Where convictions are stated, the applicant should, where appropriate, explain the circumstances.

• Applicants for club manager’s certificates should provide evidence to show their involvement in the management and activities of the club (eg a detailed letter from a club officer).
• The prescribed fee of $132.

Note: Failure to provide references as to character and/or experience and proof of knowledge of the Act will delay the processing of your application. An affidavit may be accepted if no references can be provided.

Application process

Once the application form has been completed, it should be returned with all required material to the Central Otago district licensing agency.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted (an exception may be made if the applicant’s appointment as an acting or temporary manager has been confirmed in writing).

Copies of the application are forwarded by the agency to the relevant police station and licensing inspector for their reports. The police or licensing inspector may wish to discuss the application with the applicant.

If there is no opposition to the application then it will be determined by the district licensing agency.

A manager’s certificate is issued initially for one year. Application for renewal must be made prior to expiry.

To download the Reg 111 – Manager’s Certificate Application Form

To download the Reg 125 - Manager's Certificate Renewal Application Form

Appointment of temporary and acting managers

Temporary manager

• If a manager is absent, the licensee may appoint (preferably in writing) a temporary manager who need not hold a manager's certificate. However, the appointee must apply for a temporary manager’s certificate within two working days of appointment. To download the Reg 126 - Temporary Manager’s Appointment Form, click here (pdf, 68kb)
  
• After the application is made, the temporary manager shall be deemed to be the holder of a manager's certificate until the application is determined.
• If the appointee does not apply for a manager's certificate within two working days, or if the application is refused, the licensee must cease to employ the appointee as a manager.

Acting Manager

A licensee may appoint (preferably in writing) an acting manager:

• for any period not exceeding three weeks at any one time where the licensee or a manager is unable to act because of illness or absence, and
• for periods not exceeding a total of six weeks in each period of twelve months to enable the licensee or a manager to have a vacation

The person appointed as acting manager shall be deemed to be the holder of a manager's certificate and it is not necessary for that person to apply for or hold such a certificate.

Notice of appointment of manager

On the appointment or the cancellation or termination of the appointment of any manager, temporary manager, or acting manager, the licensee must give notice to:

• the liquor licensing authority; and
• the police, or
• the office of the district licensing agency where the application for the licence was filed.

Notification is not necessary for the appointment of a temporary or acting manager for any period not exceeding forty-eight hours.

Public notification - newspaper and site

Within 20 working days of the application being lodged with the district licensing authority a public notice must be placed in the Otago Daily Times, the Central Otago News, or The Mirror newspapers (see 'Form 1 public notice' attached to the application form). The notice must be published twice in the same newspaper with no fewer than five and no more than 10 days between the two dates of publication. A notice (see 'Form 1A public notice' attached to the application form) must also be placed in a conspicuous place on or adjacent to the site to which the application refers.

Copies of the published public notice(s) and dates must be forwarded to the Central Otago district licensing agency, as soon as possible.

Any person with an interest greater than the public generally (for example, people who live nearby or consider themselves to be affected) may object to the application within 10 working days after the first publication.

Training

Courses available in this field include:

• Otago Polytechnic – One-day courses are available in Central Otago.  Contact the Cromwell campus on 0800 765 9276.
• Liquor Licensing Bureau – Various course options are available in Central Otago.  Contact 03 442 0274.
• Hospitality Management E-learning Ltd – An internet training course that can be done at anytime.  Consists of on-line assessments followed by a verbal test by telephone.  For more information please phone 0800 SOLACT or email hospo@xtra.co.nz

Applicants for club manager’s certificates may also complete the following course:

• Sporting Clubs Association of NZ - A handbook is provided followed by a "closed book" assessment.  Contact 0800 655 889.

Licence controller qualification

The Sale of Liquor Amendment Act 1999 provides for a ‘prescribed qualification’ that must be held by holders of general manager’s certificates.

The hospitality industry, in particular the Hospitality Standards Institute, has now developed three unit standards (NZQA), which must be completed before a person can be issued with a licence controller qualification.

These units are:

4646   - Demonstrating knowledge of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.

16705 - Demonstrating knowledge of host responsibility requirements as a liquor licence controller.

16645 - Performing host responsibility practices in the workplace.

The first two units require attendance at a course, while the third involves being assessed in your workplace, by either an NZQA accredited training provider or a Hospitality Standards Institute-registered assessor.

If you have any questions regarding the licence controller qualification please contact the Christchurch office of Hospitality Standards Institute on phone 03 365 4326.