Liquor Licence Applications


Download our Factsheet on the transition to the new Act (2 page pdf).

 

 

This page explains the application requirements for an On-Licence, Off-Licence or Club Licence under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.

Applicants must meet statutory application criteria

In considering your On-licence, Off-Licence or Club Licence application, the District Licensing Agency must pay due regard to:

  • Your suitability to be granted a licence.
  • The days on which and the hours during which you propose to sell liquor under the licence.
  • The area or areas of the your premises (or conveyance) if any, that you propose should be designated as restricted or supervised areas.
  • The steps you propose to take to ensure the requirements of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 in relation to the sale of liquor to prohibited persons are observed.
  • Your proposal relating to the sale and supply of non-alcoholic food, refreshments and low-alcohol beverages.
  • What provision you have made for assistance with or information about alternative forms of transport from your premises.
  • Whether you are or will be engaged in the sale or supply of any other goods besides liquor and food or the provision of services other than those directly related to the sale or supply of liquor and food.
  • Any matters raised in the reports of a Licensing Inspector, Police and Wellington Regional Health Office.

In the case of a Club Licence, the District Licensing Agency must be satisfied that the predominant activities for which your club premises are or will be used is not the consumption of liquor.

Licence applications must be in the proper form

You may prepare your application yourself or employ a professional consultant to do it for you.

You may print off and use the licence application form appropriate for your proposed premises from the Liquor Licensing Forms link below.

Applications for an On-Licence, Off-Licence and Club Licence must be on the prescribed form made in the name of the person who will hold the licence and contain all of the prescribed details.

Your application must include:

  • A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation issued under the Companies Act 1993 where you are applying for an On-Licence or Off-Licence as a company.
  • A copy of the Memorandum of Association where you are applying for an On-Licence or Off-Licence as a company or other documentary evidence of your authority to sell liquor or hold a licence under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.
  • A written statement from the building owner where you are not the owner authorising your use of the premises for the sale of liquor.
  • A photograph of the exterior of your premises (if an existing building) or an artist’s impression if it is still to be built.
  • An aerial photograph or street map of Porirua City showing the location of your proposed premises.
  • A scale floor plan of the premises identifying the part or parts of the premises that will be used for the sale of liquor, the part or parts of the premises to be designated as restricted or supervised areas and the principal entrance.
  • A copy of your full-proposed food menu and price list for food and non-alcoholic refreshments to be provided on your On-Licence and Club Licence premises.
  • Certification that your premises have current registration under the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974.
  • A copy of your Host Responsibility Policy.
  • The Sale of Liquor (SOL) Compliance Certificate issued by the Porirua City Council.
  • The prescribed fee.

Submit your licence application for premises with the Porirua District Licensing Agency if your premises or conveyance principal place of business is situated in Porirua City.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Taking the first step - Sale of Liquor (SOL) Compliance Certificate

Obtaining a Sale of Liquor Compliance certificate is the first step in your On-Licence, Off-Licence and Club Licence application process.

You may print off and complete the SOL (Sale of Liquor) Compliance Certificate application form from our Liquor licensing Forms the link below, and submit it to Council’s Customer Services Centre.

There is a separate fee for this certificate.  For fee information, go to our Liquor Licensing Fees page using the link provided below.

The certificate is a joint certificate issued by the Porirua City Council’s Resource Consents and Building Compliance Centres confirming your premises comply with the Resource Management Act 1991 and New Zealand Building Code.

Note: Your licence application cannot be accepted or proceed until this certificate is supplied.

Liquor licence renewal applications must be publicly notified

All liquor licence renewal applications must be publicly notified as explained in more detail on our Public Notification of Liquor Licence Application page (refer to link below).

Your liquor licence application will be inquired into

A Council Licensing Inspector, the Police and Regional Public Health Office report on On-Licence, Off-Licence and Club Licence applications.

As part of their inquiry process one or more of those officers may interview you personally.

Unopposed liquor licence applications will be granted

Where there is no objection to your licence application the District licensing Agency will grant and issue your licence and mail it to you with copies of the Licensing Inspector, Police and Regional Public Health Office reports.

You must display the licence in a prominent position on your premises.

Opposed applications are sent to the Liquor Licensing Authority

If there are objections to you being granted a licence, your application will be referred to the Liquor Licensing Authority for determination.

Go to our Objecting to a Liquor licence Application page by using the link below for more information on this.

Licensed premises must comply with the Health Act 1956

On-Licence and Club Licence premises are required to have food available on their premises for customers at all times when liquor is being sold on those premises under its licence.

The premises must comply with the Health Act 1956 and be registered under the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974.

Certificated manager's must supervise licensed premises

On-Licence premises (excepting BYO) must be supervised by a manager who has the manager's certificate appropriate for those premises, issued under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989, at all times when liquor is sold under the licence.

There is some exemption for Club Licence premises for this. For more on this go to our Manager's Certificate pages via the link below.

A Temporary Authority may be granted

If you are buying an existing licensed premises you may be eligible for a Temporary Authority to cover the period of time from when you take control of the business and your own On-Licence or Off-Licence is issued.

Go to our Public Notification of liquor licence applications page for more information on this.

Outdoor dining requires a special Council permit

If you want to set up tables, chairs and other furniture on the footpath outside your premises for open air or el fresco dining you require a Council Outdoor Dining Permit.

For more information on this, go to our Outdoor Dining Permit application and fees pages using the links provided below.

Links to more liquor licensing information

Legislation:

Porirua City Council links:

External links: