District Licensing Committees

Sent: Monday, 25 November 2024 4:52 pm
Subject: LGOIMA request - District Licensing Committees

I refer to your LGOIMA request of 5 November 2024 regarding the Rotorua District Licensing Committee, and provide the following responses to your queries:

1. How many off-licences were operating in your territorial authority boundaries as at 30 June 2024 (if you cannot confirm at that specific date, how many off-licences do you currently have operating in your territorial authority boundaries? Please confirm which date you have used)
   56 Off-Licences are operating in the Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC) district as at 30 June 2024.
2. What are your current recruitment criteria and qualification requirements for appointing DLC Members and Chairs?
   DLC Members and Chairs must be community-minded people who meet the requirements of the position description for the relevant role, and understand alcohol related harm and its effects. A comprehensive understanding of judicial processes, a working knowledge of hearing processes and how New Zealand legislation works (including relevant case law and decisions made by other DLCs) is always deemed desirable. With the Council’s obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, an understanding of Te Ao Māori and fluency in Te Reo Māori is also considered advantageous. There are no formal qualifications required, however, applicants must have good standing in the community, the highest standard of professional and personal integrity and the necessary knowledge, skill and experience relating to matters that are likely to come before the committee. Legal experience is beneficial but not a requirement. The LGNZ Competency Guide for DLC members is also used as a reference.
3. What procedures have you implemented to give effect to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act (Community Participation) Bill Amendments?
   RLC has begun wider notification of alcohol applications to the general public. Due to the large contact database involved and technology requirements to perform this efficiently, the process is still considered under development and is yet to reach its full potential.
   The layout, formalities and procedures for DLC Hearings were already being undertaken in a more welcoming and non-confrontational manner before this change was technically required. This was in an effort to ‘get ahead’ of the legislative change.
   Changes were made to Hearing notification forms requesting participants to inform Council early if they intended to present or be heard in any other language other than English so that we could make appropriate prior arrangements.
   Processes and documentation have been amended to reflect the widening of scope for objectors and to facilitate the increase from 15 to 25 working days to make an objection.
   The Rotorua Local Alcohol Policy is also currently in review and will reflect the amendments provided for in the Amendment Act.
   The DLC is yet to hold a Hearing where cross examination or questioning of other parties will not be allowed but are prepared for this.
4. What tikanga protocols have you implemented to give effect to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act (Community Participation) Bill Amendments?
   The incorporation of Karakia at the opening and closing of DLC Hearings.
   Advice and assistance from RLC’s Te Amorangi Unit has been obtained to assist with Tikanga and Te Reo.
5. Have you seen any notable changes in community participation since implementation of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act (Community Participation) Bill?
   Yes - more public objections are now being received than previously.