Ngahuru Autumn 2024

Alcohol licensing tips and reminders

Hooray for autumn and the sweet relief of cooler temperatures. Another bonus of autumn is two significant holidays! Easter break begins on Friday 29 March, followed by Anzac Day on Thursday 25 April. If you're planning any special events to mark these holidays, remember to check if you need a Special Licence. Read on for more tips and reminders to help you prepare for autumn.

 

ANZAC and Easter trading

'On licence' premises can only sell or supply alcohol on Good Friday, Easter Sunday or Anzac Day before 1pm to: people residing, lodging or dining there. 'Dining' allows patrons to drink with a meal and is defined as 'ordering, eating or finishing a reasonably sized meal at a normal eating time'.

 

Useful information

Want to apply for a Special Licence these holidays? Or do you just want to find out what's involved? For information about all our licences and deadlines for applications - plus access to all our past copies of this very cool newsletter 😊 go to our alcohol licensing website.

 

Training

Regular training sessions with your staff will ensure they understand the Sale & Supply of Alcohol Act well. Free tools, like ServeWise, are packed with great resources for new starters and act as a refresher for existing staff. Check the resources at the Health Promotion Agency too. 

 

Understanding licence classes for restaurants

The three classes for restaurants that hold an on-licence are:

* Class 3 - no separate bar, can only serve alcohol to tables.

* Class 2 - has a separate bar, but can't operate as a tavern.

* Class 1 - has a significant separate bar, casual drinkers, can operate a bar as a tavern at least once a week.

 

Manager's Certificate interviews

A crucial step when applying for a Manager's Certificate is to attend an interview with an inspector in person or online. Your suitability to be a manager will be assessed, so it's essential to be prepared. The Manager's Guide is a recommended study tool. If you can't make an interview, you must give at least 24 hours notice and a valid reason.

 

Notifying us of manager appointments

Make sure your Managers Register is up to date at all times. Any appointment of a Permanent, Temporary or Acting Duty Manager must be notified to our Alcohol Licensing Team and the NZ Police within 48 hours. Our website has all the information, or you can contact us for guidance.

 

Know your licensed footprint

at all times


An alcohol licence is granted

for a defined area.


This area is outlined on the

premises floor plan submitted with the

licence application and approved by the

District Licensing Committee.


Remember that alcohol may only be

supplied and consumed within

the defined area.


Your approved floor plan may be

requested during a compliance visit.


Keep a copy of it in your

premises tool kit

or better still,

have it on display.


If you wish to extend your licensed area

you need to apply for a

variation of your alcohol licence

conditions as well as a

Certificate of Compliance – Alcohol.



Email us for an example of

the type of plan required at

DLG@fndc.govt.nz

Free water

will help prevent intoxication


Now is a great time to assess the

availability of water at your premises.


The risk of dehydration remains, even

during the cooler months.


Remember to check that the location of

free water isn’t obstructed

during busy times.


Remind your staff to keep providing water

to anyone consuming alcohol and

if you do have a water station,

make sure it is refreshed regularly

and that there are plenty of

clean drinking glasses.

Objecting to an alcohol application


Members of the public can object to an application for an alcohol licence. 


Objections must be in writing and sent to

the council’s Alcohol Licensing Team

within 25 working days after

the first date of the first notice. 

Public notices are published on

the council website.

District Licensing Committee (DLC) Practice Notes

On 1 May 2023 the Far North DLC published nine practice notes.

These explain the DLC’s approach to the Sale & Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. 

Find them via this link.

ANZAC and Easter holiday

trading information



The Sale & Supply of Alcohol Act

places restrictions on who can

sell alcohol on certain days.


'Off Licence' holders

cannot sell or deliver alcohol on

Good Friday, Easter Sunday or

on Anzac Day before 1pm.


The only alcohol you can sell or

deliver on Easter Sunday is

grape, fruit or vegetable wine

that is made:

on the premises;

or from produce harvested

from the land

on which the premises is situated.


In 2017, the council adopted the

Easter Sunday Shop

Trading Policy.

This allowed shop and business owners to trade on Easter Sunday.


Please be aware that this policy

only allows premises to sell

alcohol that complies

with these conditions.


Check if you can open by visiting

Employment NZ.

 
 

Temporary Manager vs Acting Manager


Fill out a Notice of Management Change to let us know

if you have changed a Duty Manager or hired a Temporary Manager

within two working days.


You also need to tell the DLC and NZ Police.

We need to know who the Temporary or Acting Manager is replacing.


Other things to notify us about

  • If you become a Temporary Manager, you must apply for a Manager's Certificate within two working days.
  • If a Temporary or Acting Manager is appointed, you need to note the change in your Managers Register.
  • A Duty Manager who is on annual leave, sick leave, or who is absent from work can be replaced by a Temporary Manager.
  • A Duty Manager who is on sick leave or absent from work can be replaced for three weeks at a time by an Acting Manager.
  • An Acting Manager can replace a Duty Manager on annual leave for six weeks in any 12-month period.


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?

 
 
 

Any suggestions for our next newsletter?


Email us at ask.us@fndc.govt.nz or visit our website at:

www.fndc.govt.nz/Our-Services/Licences_and_permits

 
 
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