Alcohol Newsletter - Spring 2024

Kōanga Spring 2024

Alcohol licensing tips and reminders

Longer days and warmer temperatures are just around the corner, so spring into action for the busy period ahead. It's a season of renewal and rejuvenation, so now's the time to explore new and exciting offerings. From refreshing springtime beverages to outdoor dining, there are plenty of ways to toast the new season. It's a perfect time for housekeeping, so check your signs, licensing obligations, and staff training, and raise a glass to a successful season ahead.

Save the dates

Make it a great event

The festive season may seem like a long way off, but the time to apply for special licenses for summer events is fast approaching.

Get applications in early so we can process them in plenty of time.

Key dates:

Large event – more than 400 people: Lodge application by 25 October 2024

Small-medium event – up to 400 people: Lodge application by 15 November 2024

Waitangi Day 2024: Lodge application by 25 November 2024.

Head to our website to find out more.

Spring into training

Is your team up to speed?

Keep your staff updated with licence conditions and responsibilities.

Check out ServeWise, which is a free online training course.

The national e-learning tool gives users an understanding of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. It focuses on intoxication, minors, server intervention, and host responsibility.

The tool is also handy for preparing for a Duty Manager Certificate interview.

Head to ServeWise here.

Identifying under-agers

Check, check, check

If a customer looks like they might be aged under 25, always check their ID. No ID, no sale.

The Controlled Purchase Operation (CPO) aims to reduce the illegal sale of alcohol to anyone underage. Never be afraid to ask to avoid failing a CPO.

Always have plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available. Section 51 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 requires you to have a range of alcohol-free options at reasonable prices. That can include 0% beer, wines and spirits.

Most on-licenses will also have a condition that you stock low-alcohol options. That is alcohol between 1.15% and 2.5% alcohol by volume.

Know your designations

A restricted area is where only 18+ are permitted
A supervised area is where minors are not admitted unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Undesignated means anyone of any age can be in that area.

Keeping vigilant

Eating before or as we drink can have a major impact on reducing levels of intoxication. Food must be available when alcohol is for sale, according to your licence.

Recognise intoxication

Intoxication means observably affected by alcohol, other drugs, or other substances (or a combination) to such a degree that:

appearance is affected
behaviour is impaired
co-ordination is impaired
speech is impaired.

No obligation

There is no obligation to serve a customer. A licensee does not have to:

deliver, sell, or supply alcohol at any time or to any person
let any person, consume alcohol at any time on the licensed premises.

Sign of the times

Licensees must display a copy of their licence, trading hours, duty managers, food availability and host responsibility. If you need signs, email DLG@fndc.govt.nz.

If you need to appoint an acting or temporary manager, check out our website for more information.

Manager on duty

A manager must be on duty at all times whenever alcohol is sold, and the manager's name is to be prominently displayed on the premises.

Signs must be updated if there is a changeover of duty managers.

Failure to appoint a manager or have a manager on duty can result in a $5000 fine.

Taking over a business

If you have taken over a business that holds a current licence, head to our website to find out more.

Keeping up with changes

Check out the amendments to licensing legislation.

Incorporated Societies Act 2022: If a club was incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908, they have until April 2026 to re-register under the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022. Find out more here .

Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Community Participation) Amendment Act 2023: The Amendment Act made two sets of changes.

From 31 August 2023 it:

removed the ability for parties to appeal provisional local alcohol polices (LAPs) to the Alcohol Regulatory & Licensing Authority (ARLA)
enabled District Licensing Committees (DLCs) and ARLA to decline to renew a licence if it would be inconsistent with conditions relating to location or licence density in the LAP
allowed anyone to object to a licence application, with narrow exceptions for trade competitors, and extended the time a person has to object from 15 to 25 working days.

From 30 May 2024 DLC procedures must:
avoid unnecessary formality
not permit cross-examination, or parties to question other parties and their witnesses
allow for tikanga Māori to be incorporated into proceedings
allow evidence to be given in te reo Māori.