- Can I apply for a liquor licence before my premises are finished?
- Can I trade before I get my licence?
- How do I obtain a General Manager's Certificate?
- How long does a managers certificate licence last?
- How long does it take to process a liquor license application?
- Is it wrong to promote cheap drinks?
- My General Manager's Certificate has expired, what do I have to do to renew it?
- What do each of the designations in the sale of Liquor Legislation mean?
- What happens once my application has been lodged?
- What kind of licence do I need?
- Why are so many people involved in the licensing process?
- What if I need more information?
1. Can I apply for a liquor licence before my premises are finished?
Yes, the District Licensing Agency can start processing your application.
No licence will be issued until you provide whatever clearances are necessary with regard to building work.
An Environmental Health Officer for the North Shore City Council may ask you to arrange a final inspection once the kitchen is complete. In addition, you may be required to have a final inspection done by an Environmental Health Inspector for Crown Publich Health.
2. Can I trade before I get my licence?
No you cannot sell or supply alcohol without a licence. However if the premises has a current licence at the time you take over the business, you may be able to obtain a Temporary Authority. This permits you to operate for three months, based on those exiting licence conditions.
3. How do I obtain a General Manager's Certificate?
You (the applicant) must have been in the industry for a minimum of 3 months.
You (the applicant) must obtain a certificate from a recognised provider which states you have attended and passed a course on Sale of Liquor Act awareness. At the time of application, that qualification must be no older than 6 months.
4. How long does a Managers Certificate/licence last?
Managers Certificates - This is issued for one year, and then an application for renewal is made. It may then be renewed for a period of three years, in the absence of Police or Inspector's concerns/opposition. Normally if you have received a conviction eg, excess breath alcohol, the agency inspector and/or Police may recommend a one or two year renewal, depending on the seriousness of the conviction. In those cases, the application will be sent to the authority for determination.
On/Off/Club Licences - These are issued for one year, and then may be renewed for a period of up to three years. If any or all of the reporting bodies indicate that the premises have been a concern during premises visits the application may well need to be detemined by way of a hearing.
Special Licences - These are valid only for a particular occasion or event, or series of occasions or events, or social gathering, specified in the licence.
5. How long does it take to process a liquor license application?
Temporary Authority - the application should be lodged 10 working days before the takeover date. Providing all reports and information is received, and neither the police nor inspector have any objection, the application will normally be approved within 1 - 2 weeks.
Application Fee: $132.00
Special Licence - the application must be lodge 20 working days before the date of the function/s. The same conditions for Temporary Authority apply.
Application Fee: $63.00
On/Off/Club Licences - a premises licence can take some months to process as various reports are required, and certain period must be allowed for the public to comment on the application. If there is some urgency with your application, you may write directly to the Agency requesting urgency.
Application Fee: $776.00
(Note: the delay of an application can be caused due to insufficient information provided by an applicant, an applicant's criminal convictions, objections received from the general public, or concerns of either the Police, Crown Public Health, Inspector or the general public).
Managers' Certificate - This process would normally take from 4 - 6 weeks. The application is sent to the Police for their report, then to the Inspector. If recommended, the certificate will be issued in about four weeks. If opposed by the Police and/or Inspector, it would be set down for a public hearing in Auckland. That process can take some 3 - 5 months.
Application Fee: $132.00
6. Is it wrong to promote cheap drinks?
The promotions that you run on your premises are an important part of your approach to host responsibility. Some promotions are contrary to the object of the Sale of Liquor Act (section 4) in that they promote liquor abuse. Examples of this sort of promotion would be "All you can drink for $25", "Caribbean night 50 cent drinks until 12 midnight".
These promotions encourage patrons to drink more liquor, but not necessarily spend more money.
7. My General Manager's Certificate has expired, what do I have to do to renew it?
Those Managers whose records are on file with the North Shore District Licensing Agency will be sent a renewal application form before their certificate expires. As the form will be sent to the last known postal address, please ensure the Agency is informed of any changes.
A Manager’s Certificate cannot be renewed after it has expired. You will be required to reapply for a new Certificate. If your training was undertaken more than 2 years ago, you would have to attend another Sale of Liquor Act Awareness Course.
Your application will be dealt with as a new application. If issued, it will be initially for 1 year and renewed every 3 years thereafter.
8. What do each of the designations in the sale of Liquor Legislation mean?
Restricted - No one on the premises under 18 years of age.
Supervised - 18 years or over or at any age if accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Liquor will not be sold to anyone under the age of 18. Liquor may be supplied to someone under 18 by their parent or legal guardian.
Undesignated - People of any age may be present but liquor will not be sold to anyone under 18 years of age. Liquor may be supplied to someone under 18 by their parent or legal guardian.
9. What happens once my application has been lodged?
The agency forwards copies of the application and supporting documents to the nearest police station and where relevant, Crown Public Health, for their report.
The Inspector also reports on the applications. The inquiry by these bodies may involve an interview and/or visit to the premises. Once all reports have been obtained, and the applicant has provided copies of the public notices placed in The Press. Providing no objections are received, the District Licensing Agency will determine the application, otherwise the application will be forwarded to the Liquor Licensing Authority in Wellington for determination.
10. What kind of licence do I need?
On licence: Provides for sales "on" a particular premise ie Cafes, Taverns, Hotels. The area is specifically defined on plans provided and may include some outside areas.
Club: Similar to an On licence but provides for a specific group of people, club members and guests.
Off: Provides for sale of liquor which is to be consumed else where (bottle stores). (Some Hotels and Taverns may hold both an Off and On licence.)
BYO: Is an endorsed On licence which allows the consumption of liquor brought to the premises by persons who are there for the purpose of dining.
Temp Authority: Allows a new owner of a licenced premise to trade on the previous licence until a new licence can be issued in the new owners name.
Special licence: Allows for the sale of liquor at special occasions. Normally used to extend the hours or area of a licenced premises or for one off events.
11. Why are so many people involved in the licensing process?
The Sale of Liquor Act requires reports on each application from the following officers:
'On' and 'Club' licence applications - the Police, Medical Officer of Health, and Licensing Inspector.
Off licence, some Special licence, and all Managers Certificates - the Police and Licensing Inspector.
Temporary Authorities - the licensing inspector and Police. The Licensing Authority recommends that applications for Temporary Authorities be forwarded to the police for a report.
12. What if I need more information?
For more information on liquor licensing please email North Shore District Licensing Agency at northshoreDLA@northshorecity.govt.nz. Alternatively, contact Actionline on (09) 486 8600 and ask for our Liquor Licensing Inspector/Officer or Liquor Licensing/Business Support.
