Liquor
Apply early for summer event special licences
If you're holding an event this summer that will need a special licence, make sure to plan ahead and apply as soon as possible.
Please ensure if you need a licence over the Christmas period that you apply prior to the 21 November 2021. This will ensure all agencies have time to provide their reports and a licence can be issued prior to the Christmas closure.
In the past, people have often left it late to apply for a special licence. Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, all applications must be made at least 20 working days before the event is held (although exceptions can be made for unforeseen events, such as funerals). The 20 working days will not include any days that the District Licensing Committee is closed.
(Under legislation 1 working day is from the 20th of December to the 15th of January annually)
So plan ahead to make sure you file your application in time to get your licence for a summer event.
Latest update from the Ministry of Justice on alcohol licensing during COVID-19 response
Alcohol Licensing Application Notices
View a list of the latest alcohol licensing application notices
You must ensure that:
- you have the correct licence for the type of premises (on, off or club) and;
- at least one person is a Certified Manager under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
Applying for your Liquor Licence
1. Ask us to send, or, come into the Council to get an application pack.
2. Apply for resource consent:
- If the premises you intend using for the sale of liquor is a new premises or one which has not been used for the sale of liquor before, you need to apply to Council's Planning Services Department for a resource consent.
- If the proposed premises is currently being used for the sale of liquor and you do not propose to change the hours during which liquor is to be sold, you need to apply to Council's Planning Services Department for a planning certificate.
- If you propose to change the hours during which liquor is intended to be sold, you need to apply to Council's Planning Services Department for a resource consent.
- If the proposed premise is not currently being used for the sale of liquor, or you propose to make changes to it, you may need a Building Code Certificate. You should check with Council's Building Control Department.
3. Complete the requirements as listed in your application pack:
- your details (company, partnership etc)
- a scale plan that shows the parts of the premises you want licenced, the parts of the premises you want supervised, restricted or undesignated, (refer explanations for designations) and the principal entrance(s)
- a written statement from the owner giving you permission to be on the premises and to sell or supply liquor
- a street or area map showing the location of the premises
- a photograph of the premises or an artist's impression of what it will look like when completed
- a sample menu (not required for off-license applications)
- a copy of your host responsibility policy (not required for off-licence applications)
4. Lodge your application with the District Licencing Committee
- For an on- or club license you should provide the original application plus three copies of the application including all documents. For an off-license application, provide just one original and one copy of the application and all documents.
- After Council has received and receipted your application you must place two public notices in either the Daily Post or the Rotorua Review no less than five working days and no more than 10 working days apart. Copies of the newspaper advertisements must be sent to the District Licensing Committee as soon as possible after they have been published.
- You are also required to place a notice in a conspicuous place on or adjacent to the site, using form 1A in the application pack (unless the secretary of the District Licensing Committee agrees that it is impractical to do so). You must also complete the statement in form 1A and return it to Council.
Types of Liquor Licence/Forms
Manager's Certificate
Application to be a Duty Manager on licenced premises.
- New Manager's Certificate Application
- Club Manager's LCQ requirements
- LCQ Bridging Test Brochure
- Notice of Management Change
- Renewal of Manager's Certificate Application
On-Licence
Authorises the sale and supply of liquor for consumption on the premises or conveyance (for example, a restaurant, hotel, plane or boat).
New/Renewal/Variation of On-Licence
Off-Licence
Authorises the sale or delivery of liquor for consumption off the premises (for example, a bottle shop or supermarket).
Club Licence
Healthy Families Rotorua would like to offer all Sports Clubs support, advice, education, engagement and advocacy with local and national initiatives, as part of the liquor licensing application process.
Proposal for sports clubs from Healthy Families Rotorua
Authorises the sale and supply of liquor 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
Authorises the sale and supply of liquor 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).
Temporary Authority
Authorises 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.
