Single serve alcohol

The District Licensing Commitee can impose discretionary conditions relating to single serve alcohol if there is concern about excess or inappropriate alcohol consumption. To check the way your business handles this, ask yourself: Are we selling high strength single serve alcohol, who's buying it, who's the intended audience and are high volumes of RTDs being sold?

Unlicensed alfresco dining

As it gets warmer, sitting outside to enjoy a meal and cold beer seems like a no-brainer but if you want to offer alfresco dining on public land you must have the necessary approval from the council. Your alcohol licence also has to include the alfresco dining area. You can find the Road Use Bylaw 2022 and Alfresco dining application via these highlighted links.

Members of the DLC

A District Licensing Committee (DLC) is usually made up of three members. A common misunderstanding is that the Alcohol Licensing Inspector decides the outcome of an alcohol licence application. The inspector, along with NZ Police and the Medical Officer of Health, is required to 'inquire' into an application and file a report with the DLC, who then make a decision.

Mid North Alcohol Accord

An Alcohol Accord is a partnership between key stakeholders wanting to promote safer alcohol consumption in an area the accord defines. Tyler Bamber, owner of The Pioneer Bar in Waipapa is looking to start a Mid North Alcohol Accord. If you're interested, let him know - tyler@thepioneerbar.co.nz or 021 563 085. Tyler is also a BOI-Whangaroa Community Board member.

Event requiring a special licence?

Are you planning on holding an event where you require a special licence on Waitangi Day 2023? Any special licence applications for Waitangi Day (7 February 2023) must be received by 5 December 2022. It is important to note that late applications will not be accepted. You can find all the information relating to special licences on our website.

Record keeping

Did you know that if you're a licensee there are records that you need to keep up-to-date? Check out the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. Section 232 outlines the need for manager appointments and duty manager records to be kept up-to-date and Section 105 reiterates the need for a licensee to maintain systems as well as staff and training records.

Filing your applications on time

It is the licensee’s responsibility to ensure applications are filed on time. That includes a new licence, renewal, variation or special licence. Filing requirements are outlined in Section 99 , Section 127 and Section 137 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. Please note that a complete application means the application form has been completed, it includes all the required information and the applicable fee has been paid.

For renewals, a complete application must be filed 20 working days before the licence expires. Once a licence expires it is no longer valid, so you must apply for a new licence. If you file your renewal application with less than 20 working days to go before the expiry date, then you must provide a reason why your renewal is late.

Alcohol application forms can be downloaded from our website and you can apply online.