4 Legal Tips For Getting a Liquor Licence in NZ

In Short

• Prepare a detailed application: Include all required documents, address local alcohol policies, and highlight community impact mitigation.

• Assess your location: Avoid areas near schools or churches and explain how you’ll manage noise and safety.

• Train your staff: Ensure staff hold proper certifications and receive regular, recorded training in responsible service.

Tips for Businesses
Start your application early to avoid delays, especially if you’re launching a venue or planning an event. Tailor your application to meet local council rules and show how you’ll manage community impacts. Staff training is critical—document it to support your application and build trust with the licensing committee.

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Table of Contents

• 1. Prepare Your Application Effectively
• 2. Consider Your Locality
• 3. Ensure You Adequately Train Your Staff
• 4. Apply for Your Licence With Plenty of Time
• Key Takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to sell alcohol in New Zealand, you need to have a liquor licence. There are four kinds of liquor licences, which vary according to how you sell alcohol. These are:

• an on-licence, for selling alcohol customers will consume on the premises;
• an off-licence, to sell alcohol customers will buy and consume off the premises;
• a club licence, for regularly selling alcohol to members of a community club; and
• a special licence for selling alcohol at a one-off event, such as a wedding.

Your local council’s district licensing committee (DLC) will consider your application based on your suitability as an applicant. This article provides four legal tips for obtaining a liquor licence in New Zealand.

1. Prepare Your Application Effectively

When you apply for a liquor licence, you need to provide the necessary information for the respective licence you want. You can do this with proper documentation, which will help prove your case and enable your local DLC to consider it. For an on-licence, you need to provide information that shows the following:

• that you have the necessary industry experience and knowledge to be a suitable applicant;
• the days and hours you intend to sell alcohol;
• the layout and design of your bar or similar, such as details of seating, access, and ventilation;
• your impact on the local community, and how you will mitigate any negative factors;
• that you have adequately trained your staff; and
• that you have appropriate health and safety systems in place.

If you want an off-licence, there are similar considerations. Your application should also include whether you offer any non-alcohol-related services and your trading hours. Your local council will likely have its own alcohol policies, which you need to prove you will comply with. Check their website for information about their liquor license. Local alcohol policies may include:

• limiting locations where you can sell alcohol;
• extensions or restrictions on trading hours; or
• one-way door policies.

To have a successful application, you need to conduct thorough research and prepare all necessary materials. If you miss out on any essential information or do not explain something appropriately, this can harm your chances of your DLC approving you. Seek legal advice if you are applying for your licence for the first time or have a complicated application.

2. Consider Your Locality

When your local DLC considers your application, they compare it against the existing law that regulates the sale of alcohol. In particular, they consider your suitability as an applicant and how much of an impact your licence will have on your local community’s ‘amenity and good order’. Essentially, this means examining how your business will affect the pleasantness and agreeability of your area. The committee will consider the potential levels of:

• loud and excessive noise;
• vandalism; and
• drunk and disorderly conduct.

Some councils have rules around where you can operate your licence. For example, some regulations do not permit licensed premises within 100 meters of a house of worship or a school. Even if a council does not have this specific rule, your chances of getting a licence will be lower if you operate near minors.

Therefore, if you have flexibility in terms of where you will operate, you should consider your surroundings. Are there already many licensed alcohol premises in the area? Are there any schools nearby? If there are, you will need to detail factors that will mitigate the negative impacts your alcohol business will have on the community’s good order.

3. Ensure You Adequately Train Your Staff

The committee will consider your suitability personally as an applicant and the experience of your staff. You need to ensure that your staff have the proper training to sell alcohol and hold the necessary certification, such as a duty manager’s certificate. They need to be able to sell alcohol according to the law. 

For example, any evidence of you or your staff having issues complying with the law in the past will negatively impact your application. This applies to other laws as well. If you overwork your staff and fail to meet your requirements as an employer, this may negatively impact your application.

All duty managers must complete a Licensing Control Authority (LCA)-approved training course and hold a valid Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ). Staff working under a duty manager should also receive in-house training to understand the obligations surrounding refusing service to intoxicated patrons, checking identification, and promoting responsible consumption. Training should be ongoing and recorded, both for compliance purposes and to demonstrate your commitment to responsible service. Regular refresher sessions will demonstrate to the committee that you take your obligations seriously, which helps build trust in your application.

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4. Apply for Your Licence With Plenty of Time

Licence applications can take quite some time, depending on the type you apply for. Delays may occur if your application is missing information or if concerns are raised by the community, which can significantly slow down the process. If you have a deadline—such as opening a new venue or hosting an event—ensure to submit your application well in advance. You need to apply for a special licence at least 20 working days before the event, unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as a sudden funeral. For other licences, the process can take up to 50 working days to complete.

Key Takeaways

Obtaining a liquor licence can be a lengthy and complex process. Ensure that you apply well in advance and gather all the necessary documentation. If any factors could jeopardise your chances, seek ways to reduce those negatives if possible. 

If you would like more information or help with applying for your liquor licence, our experienced regulatory and compliance lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. You will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents for a low monthly fee. Call us today on 0800 005 570 or visit our membership page. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need a liquor licence?

If you sell alcohol in New Zealand, then you need to have a liquor licence. The kind of licence you get will depend on how you sell alcohol and where customers will consume it.

How can I apply for a liquor licence?

You can apply for a liquor licence through your local council. The council typically outlines this process on its website.

Does a liquor licence cost money?

When you apply for a liquor licence, you need to prepare various documents proving your suitability and providing information about your proposed operation. This includes paying licensing fees.