Liquor license information

If you own, operate or manage a business or venue, where alcohol will be sold or supplied, you need to be familiar with the laws and regulations that apply to liquor.  You must ensure that you have the correct licence and a host responsibility programme in place to care for your patrons.  Liquor is licensed to promote safe and legal drinking.

Which licence do you require?

If you want to sell or supply alcohol, you must apply for the appropriate liquor licence. Each licence has its own application form, a non-refundable fee and requirements for specific additional documentation.  See forms

Special licence

A special licence is required if you host an event or celebration where alcohol is being served.  And if you sell tickets to a function where alcohol is supplied.

A special licence allows the holder, to sell and supply alcohol, on the premises or conveyance named on the licence, to any person attending as approved by the licence for the duration of the occasion or event.  Occasions with alcohol such as:

• sporting event, quiz nights
• wine tasting
• bus trip where alcohol is consumed
• party where alcohol is being sold
• public party where alcohol is being sold or supplied
• party on leased premises where alcohol is being sold or supplied
• event where tickets are sold and alcohol is supplied.

You need to submit your application at least 10 days before the event. 
If your event is around Christmas or New Year, your application needs to be lodged before Friday 2 December 2011.

On licence

Allows you to sell or supply alcohol for consumption on a building premises or conveyance:

• bar
• pub
• tavern
• hotel
• night club
• restaurant or café
• conveyances such as bus, boat or ship, aircraft, train, vehicle
• endorsed premises - BYO

Off licence

Allows you to sell, supply or deliver alcohol for consumption off the premises.  An Off-licence may be issued for a:

• "stand alone" bottle shop or store
• supermarket or grocery store
• brewery
• business selling gift baskets that contain alcohol
• winery

Club licence

Allows clubs to sell; supply and serve alcohol for consumption, on club premises to club members, their guests and members of clubs with reciprocal visiting rights.

• club - sport, social or corporate.

Temporary authority

If you have purchased a licensed business, you must apply for temporary authority to operate until your own licence has been approved.  You need to apply for temporary authority at least 10 working days before you take-over the business.

Manager's certificate

A certified general manager must be on duty at all times when liquor is being sold or supplied to the public except in the case of most special licences and endorsed licences. 

Clubs must appoint at least one manager who holds either a club or a general manager's certificate.

If the certified manager is ill, absent, dismissed or resigned, a licensee can appoint a temporary or acting manager. These people must be adequately trained and council and the police notified.

Applying for a liquor licence

Applications for a liquor licence must be made to the Gisborne District Licensing Agency (DLA) on the appropriate form with supporting information, including a Liquor Premises Compliance Certificate. Once lodged, applications are sent to the police and, in some cases, the medical officer of health who then give a report to the DLA.

Some applications are required to be publicly notified by the applicant in the Gisborne Herald. Once the above reports and supporting documents have been received, the licensing inspector will write a final report. If the application is within Council policy and no objections are received, a licence will be issued. Otherwise, the application will proceed to a hearing.

Fees and charges 

The fees are set by the Sale of Liquor Regulations over which Council has no control (except Liquor Premise Compliance Certificate).