BYO alcohol events

Don't bring the bother

Bring-your-own-alcohol events,

are often thought to be outside of licensing requirements..... but

** spoiler alert **

that's not always the case.

If you operate a premises with an

on-licence, BYO may be permitted BUT you still need an appointed Duty Manager to oversee the consumption of alcohol and be responsible for dispensing it.

If you do not have an on-licence or a Section 37 endorsed on-licence

but wish BYO alcohol to be brought to a one-off or very rare event... then get in touch with us prior to your event.

Allowing alcohol to be consumed on an unlicensed premises or at an event may be viewed as “a place of resort” and could be committing an offence.

Special licences are only for the sale and supply of alcohol not for

BYO events.

You should complete a

notification of BYO form

for an unlicensed premises when no alcohol is sold to guests, there is no charge to guests attending, and

it's an invite only event.

Site specific licences

Staying in your lane

Each alcohol licence is issued for a particular location such as a premises or an event. These licences are

non-transferable between locations.

Know your licences

Special licences are site specific, allowing for the sale or supply of alcohol at a specific event or location.

On-licences are issued for a specific premises, like a tavern, restaurant or bar, allowing alcohol to be sold for consumption on those premises.

Off-licences are for a specific premises, like a supermarket, allowing the sale and delivery of alcohol for consumption off-site.

Club licences are issued for a specific club premises, such as a golf club. This allows the sale of alcohol to club members and their guests

on the premises.

Conveyance on-licences are issued to a ‘moving’ conveyance, like a boat.

Food available with alcohol

Businesses with

on-licences or club licences

must make sure that food is easily available whenever they are open and selling alcohol.

This condition forms part of good 

host responsibility, as eating before or while drinking has been shown to have a significant impact on

reducing levels of intoxication.

The range and style of food must be similar to the menu submitted as part of the original licence application.

The requirements for the different types of licences are outlined in the 

Host Responsibility Guidelines.

Food Cert of Registration

Not all premises need to have a Certificate of Registration for Food.

However, registered premises,

such as restaurants that regularly sell and serve meals to the public on the premises, must display a current

Certificate of Registration.

Visit Food licensing for more information on how to get a

Certificate of Registration.

Got a question? Ask your inspectors.

Send your questions to DLG@fndc.govt.nz

Include the following information:

Subject: (e.g.) Q&A Newsletter

Location: (e.g.) Kaitāia

Question: (e.g.) Where should my ON Licence be situated?