​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Contact

Search

Guidance for new applicants

Before you apply

Understanding everything there is to know about alcohol licences and the application process is no easy task. We recommend checking out the guidance on this page and talking to our alcohol licensing team before you start an application.

Book a free meeting by calling us on 07 376 0899 or email alcohollicensing@taupo.govt.nz.

Introduction

If you're planning to sell or supply alcohol, there's a lot to learn!

In this section you can learn more about the legal framework (Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012) and regulatory agencies involved with alcohol licensing, better understand the process around obtaining the correct alcohol licence, including the documentation you'll need to provide, how applications are assessed and the requirements for public notices.

Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 establishes the legal framework for alcohol licensing, covering the different types of licences, the processes of applying for new or renewing licences, and the powers of licensing authorities including District Licensing Committees (DLCs) and the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA).

The purpose of the Act is to ensure the safe and responsible sale, supply, and consumption of alcohol, with the primary goal of minimising harm caused by excessive or inappropriate drinking.

Learn more about the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012

Required documentation

Before applying for an alcohol licence you need to obtain some important documentation. The purpose of these documents is to show that your premises are safe, you are suitable to hold a licence and you've given thought to how to run a licensed premises responsibly.

Some documentation will be requested as part of the application process. Other documentation may be requested after you submit an application, based on the type of application. You must provide copies of all required documents when asked – if you don't, your application can be delayed or rejected.

Documentation for all applications

The documents listed below are required when you're applying for an on-licence, off-licence or club licence.

  • A detailed site plan that shows:
    • The outline of the whole premises.
    • The proposed licenced area showing the principal entrance and service/bar areas.
    • Any areas that are proposed to be supervised or restricted areas.
    • The location of any amenities including bathrooms, toilets etc.
    • Any outdoor areas that are to be licenced.
  • A letter from the building’s owner stating that they agree to the applicant having an alcohol licence in their premises (unless the building is also owned by the applicant).
  • A copy of any Sale and Purchase Agreement for the business as well as evidence of tenure (e.g. lease, licence etc).
  • Details of all certificated Duty Managers who will be employed including their names, dates of birth and Managers Certificate details.
  • A copy of the Building Warrant of Fitness (if applicable)
  • A photo of the outside of the premises (if existing) or plans if the building is not built yet.
  • A copy of your staff training policy
  • A letter stating how you intend to run the business e.g. a restaurant, tavern etc.
  • A completed fire evacuation scheme declaration and information as to whether a trial evacuation has been completed (to be completed by building owner) (see below)
  • Information related to convictions of the applicant and associated parties (see sections below if not applying as a natural person). (see also convictions section below)

Additional documentation required based on applicant type

  • A copy of the certificate of incorporation (or equivalent document)
  • You may be asked to provide a conviction history of any member of the body corporate associated with the application

  • A copy of the certificate of incorporation for the club
  • You may be asked for a conviction history of club committee members
  • Accurate figures for club memberships for both under and over 18 years old
  • A copy of the club charter or constitution
  • A list of affiliated clubs recognised in the charter/constitution
  • A copy of any food menus used by the club

A list of all directors/partners including their:

  • Full names
  • Physical address
  • Dates of birth
  • Places of birth
  • Conviction history of each director/partner
  • Conviction history of each shareholder holding greater than 20 per cent of shares (if different to directors). Also see convictions section below.

A breakdown of projected sales figures showing sales figures (for new licences) or the previous 12 months of sales figures (existing licences) by the following categories:

  • Overall revenue
  • Food products
  • Convenience Foods
  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco
  • Other revenue

  • A copy of your host responsibility policy
  • A copy of your food menus including bar snacks menus

  • A copy of your social responsibility policy (if you have one)
  • A breakdown of projected sales figures showing sales figures (for new licences) or the previous 12 months of sales figures (existing licences) by the following categories:
    • Overall revenue
    • Food products
    • Convenience Foods
    • Alcohol
    • Tobacco
    • Other revenue

  • A copy of a current Safety Management Certificate (SMC) for the vessel.

Application timeframes

Alcohol licence applications usually take up to eight weeks to be completed due to the timeframes allowed in legislation for both agency oppositions and public objections.

In the event that a hearing is required to determine the application the timeframe may be up to four months, but may be even longer in some cases depending on the complexity and number of objectors.

Applicants are advised to take this into account when making plans for their premises.

Application process

Getting an alcohol licence can take time. As an applicant, you need to know what your responsibilities are so it’s important to understand the full process and agencies involved. Make sure you allow up to three months for the application process to be completed.

This PDF step by step diagram outlines the general process of obtaining a new on, off or club licence.

Alcohol licensing step by step process map (PDF, 149KB)

Convictions

When applying for an alcohol licence applicants are vetted by the New Zealand Police to ensure the applicant is a suitable entity to hold an alcohol licence.

It's important to remember the applicant isn't just the person submitting the application, but rather all controlling parties to the application. This means that anyone with a controlling interest in the application must declare relevant convictions in the application and this may include:

  • All directors and shareholders (>20% of shares) in a company
  • All partners in a partnership (and directors if a limited partnership)
  • All trustees with management oversight of the premises
  • Owners associated with a body corporate
  • Club committee members

Applicants must provide this information as part of the application process and it is important that applicants are truthful in making these declarations. Failing to declare relevant convictions can have significant implications on the application and may result in the refusal of the licence or a rehearing of the application if it becomes known that convictions were not disclosed.

What do you need to declare?

Applicants (and associated parties) need to declare ANY conviction they have, however there are exceptions to this:

The first exception is that you don’t need to disclose convictions against the Land Transport Act 1998 other than offences contained in Part 6. This means that you won’t need to declare things like parking tickets, but you will need to declare any convictions related to things like excess breath alcohol, driving under the influence (alcohol or drugs), refusing samples or serious incidents such as causing injury or death while driving (among others).

The second exception is that you don’t need to declare convictions to which the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 applies. For more information on the Clean Slate Scheme see the Ministry of Justice website.

Effect of convictions on applications

Just having a conviction does not automatically mean that the applicant can’t hold an alcohol licence. The District Licensing Committee have to weigh up the implications of the conviction based on the nature and seriousness of offending. If you aren’t sure if a conviction should be declared we suggest getting in touch with the DLC secretary at alcohollicensing@taupo.govt.nz

Other application requirements

All alcohol licence applications will require a Building Code of Compliance certificate to confirm that the premises meets the requirements of the Building Act 2004.

A copy of the alcohol licence application will be sent to the building team as part of the application process. Checks in this process include ensuring relevant consents are in place, that the building has a Certificate of Public Use (CPU) and that the Building Warrant of Fitness is correct and up to date.

The applicant may be contacted by the building team if there are matters outstanding that may prevent the issue of an alcohol licence. There is a separate charge for these checks.

See our fees and charges

All new alcohol licence applications require a Town Planning Compliance Certificate issued by Councils planning team.

This confirms that the proposed activity complies with Taupō District Councils District Plan and any consents that might be in place for the property. The rules may vary depending on the zoning of the proposed location.

The applicant may be contacted by the planning team if there are matters that may prevent the issue of the alcohol licence.

Where a business intends to use an outside area for their business that uses public property they may need a lease with Council to use this space. If the site plan indicates the use of public land such as footpaths then the applicant is advised to contact Councils property team by emailing info@taupo.govt.nz or calling 0800 ASK TDC to discuss the lease requirements.

This is not an automatic function of an alcohol licence application.

Applicants will need to provide a completed Fire Evacuation Statement as part of their application. This should be completed by the building owner, but it may be completed by the applicant if the building owner has confirmed with FENZ that the applicant can act as an agent for the owner.

Find out more on the FENZ website

FENZ may provide a statement to Council if the building owner has not been maintaining their fire evacuation procedures and this can result in delays to the licence being issued or in some cases the refusal of the licence.

FENZ Fire Evacuation Statement guidance sheet (PDF, 2MB)

Certain types of licenced premises are also able to hold a class 4 gambling licence. These licences are managed by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).

More information on class 4 gambling rules can be found on the DIA website

If you're applying for a new class 4 gambling licence, you'll also need to apply to Taupo District Council to ensure your plans follow our rules for gambling venues. These rules cover where venues can be, how many machines are allowed, and what happens if a venue moves.

This is a separate application from your alcohol licence.

See the Taupo District Council Class 4 Gambling and TAB Venue Policy

Was the information on this page useful?
Loading...

Share this page

Sharing...