Object to an alcohol licence application

Lodging an objection: the key points

If you want to oppose an alcohol licence application, you must lodge a written objection with the Taupō District Licensing Committee (DLC):

You must submit your objection no later than 25 working days from the public notice date
Lodge the objection by email to alcohollicensing@taupo.govt.nz and include your contact details (see our template below)
There's no cost to lodge an objection
Anyone in the community can lodge an objection, except trade competitors and their surrogates
You don’t need to have all the evidence gathered when lodging your objection, but you will need to clearly state the grounds for your objection.

See the sections below for more detailed guidance on each of these points. If you have any questions about making an objection after reading the guidance, please email our alcohol licensing team at alcohollicensing@taupo.govt.nz.

Who can object to an alcohol licence?

Anyone - whether an individual or a group - can object to an application for an alcohol licence, licence renewal, variation of licence conditions or in some cases, a special licence if it was publicly notified at the request of the District Licensing Committee secretary.

The only exception to this is trade competitors who can only object to licences in a way that is not related to trade competition or the effects of trade competition. This exception includes receiving help (directly or indirectly) from a trade competitor to object to an application.

To make an objection you don’t need to be a legal expert or obtain professional assistance, unless you want to.

What are the grounds for objection?

Any objection to a licence application must be made on the grounds specified in section 105 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 . This includes:

The object of the act
Suitability of the applicant
Any relevant local alcohol policy
The days and hours of sale
The design and layout of premises
The sale of goods other than alcohol and refreshments
The provision of other services not related to the sale of alcohol and refreshments
Whether amenity and good order of the area would be substantially reduced
The undesirability of further licences where amenity and good order have already been reduced
Whether the applicant has systems, staff and training to comply with the law
Any matters reported by the Police, an inspector or the Medical Officer of Health

Further details of the criteria is available on the alcohol.org.nz website.

Note that when an application for a licence renewal is the same as the licence currently in force AND the conditions sought in the renewal are the same, then the only permitted basis for public objection is the suitability of the applicant. Potential objectors need to consider this as objections may not be valid if they fail to meet this criteria.

Evidence to support objections

When you object to a licence application it's helpful to include evidence of the issue/s you are facing.

While your submission should tell the committee what your objection is about, evidence comprises statements of fact and observation. Evidence should relate to your objection and the grounds specified in section 105 above.

While not essential, evidence of an issue or harm carries more weight with the District Licensing Committee.

Non-evidential material (such as opinions) can be included if it's made are on relevant grounds, but may be less influential in the decision making process.

Evidence can include:

Photos, videos or other audio visual material.
Witnesses and witness statements
Observations you have made (and ideally documented)
Reports you have obtained
Studies or relevant case law
Anything else you deem relevant provided the DLC permit it.

Timeframe and cost of making an objection

There is no cost to lodge an objection to an alcohol licence application with Taupō District Council.

You can choose to engage legal or professional assistance when preparing your objection, but you would need to meet any costs incurred.

Guidance for making an objection

This guide from Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora will help you to decide whether to make an official objection to an application for a new or renewed alcohol licence, and if you decide to go ahead, how to go about it. It sets out how to object to a licence to sell or supply alcohol, what to include in your objection, and the processes that you need to follow.

Objecting to a licence to sell or supply alcohol - Health New Zealand (PDF, 1MB)

Objection template

To assist with making an objection we have put together this objection template. You don’t have to use this template, but you may find it useful.

Template - objecting to an alcohol licence application (Word, 23KB)

What happens after making an objection?

If the DLC determine a hearing is necessary and you want to present your evidence at the hearing then you will be contacted by the DLC secretary with a timeframe for final evidence submissions. You should use this time to develop your arguments and obtain further evidence to support your objection. You can then submit your final evidence and submissions to the DLC secretary at alcohollicensing@taupo.govt.nz

You can choose to present your arguments to the DLC in person or you can request that they be provided to the DLC and not appear in person.

Learn more about alcohol licence hearings