Alcohol Licensing
Alcohol licensing application notices
To view our current alcohol licensing application website advertisements, please click the link below
Alcohol Licensing Application Notices - Rotorua Lakes Council
Applying for your alcohol licence
1. Download an application form from the links below or visit us to pick up a hard copy
You must ensure that:
- you have the correct licence for the type of premises (on, off or club) and;
- you have adequate Certified Duty Managers under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 to cover your applied for hours.
2. Obtain premises certificates for compliance (building and planning considerations)
- All licensed premises must have current Certificates of Compliance for their licensed premises. These certifies state that the proposed use of the premises (for an alcohol licence) will meet the requirements of the Building Code and Resource Management Act 1991.
- Prior to lodging a new application we recommend you discuss your proposed business with our Planning Department to assess whether a resource consent will be required.
Planning certificate application form (PDF 81KB)
Building Code application form (PDF 80KB)
3. Complete the application form and checklist
- Complete all questions in the application.
- Ensure the checklist is complete and provide all required attachments e.g. Scale plan of the licensed area, menu, area map showing where the premises is located, land owners permission, company certificate/ certificate of incorporation.
- Make an appointment to have your application vetted by one of our staff. Appointments are free of charge.
4. Lodge your application with the District Licensing Committee
- Council staff will check your application to ensure all attachments are submitted and the application is complete.
- Once your application has been accepted you will be required to pay for the application in full, and advise how you intend to publically advertise your application.
- You can arrange this with the local paper (Daily Post) for an advertisement in the classifieds or Council can place this advertisement on your behalf on our external website for a charge of $50
- Place your on-site public notice in a conspicuous place of our premises. This need to be read from the exterior.
- Take a photo of this and send it through to compliance.admin@rotorualc.nz
Types of liquor licence/forms
Manager's certificate
Application to be a Duty Manager on licensed premises.
New Manager's Certificate Application
Club Manager's LCQ requirements
Renewal of Manager's Certificate Application
On-licence
Authorizes the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises or conveyance (for example, a restaurant, hotel, plane or boat).
New/renewal/variation of On-licence
Off-licence
Authorizes the sale or delivery of alcohol for consumption off the premises (for example, a bottle shop or supermarket).
Club licence
Authorizes the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises to members of the club and their guests, and members of other clubs who hold reciprocal visiting rights.
Special licence
Authorizes the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises or conveyance, to any person attending any occasion or event (for example, a sporting event, a bus trip, or a party on hired premises where alcohol is being sold).
Large Scale Events
If you are looking to hold a large event like a festival or concert where there will be 400+ people in attendance; please be aware that the Rotorua District Licensing Committee has issued a direction that requires application to be lodged 3 months prior to the event. Read the full direction minute on page 8 of the Special Licence application form (PDF 270KB)
Temporary authority
Authorizes the temporary transfer of the current on or off-license for purchased premises. This is initially issued for 3 months to allow the applicant to obtain a full license in their own name.
