Liquor Licensing Applications

If you own or operate a bar, manage a club, a restaurant or manage a venue where alcohol will be sold or supplied in the Hastings District, you need to ensure you have the correct liquor licences as well as having a host responsibility programme in place to care for your patrons.

There are four types of licences (On, Off, Club and Special). Each has its own specific application form, a non-refundable fee and substantial requirements for additional documentation.

If you are buying licensed premises, you can apply for Temporary Authority while your full application is processed.

What do I need for my application?

1. All new applications for On, Off and Club Liquor Licences must obtain certificates under the Resource Management Act & the Building Act prior to lodging an application - see Certificates of Compliance.
   
   
2. You will need to supply a Host Responsibility policy.
   
   
3. Licence application. There are different forms for different types of licence - see Liquor Licensing Forms .

Certificates of Compliance

All applications for new liquor licences require Certificates under both the Resource Management and Building Acts to be supplied with the application.

In order that the processing of your liquor licence application is not delayed, it is recommended that you make application for the above certificates prior to submitting your liquor application.

We cannot proceed with processing the application for a liquor licence until the above certificates have been granted.

1. Certificate under the Resource Management Act
   
   
   • If a Resource Consent has not been issued for the premises, a “Certificate of
     Compliance” is required to confirm that the proposed use of the premises meets with the
     requirements of the Resource Management Act and the District Plan.
     Deposit Fee - $150.00
     
     Resource Management Certificate of Compliance application (PDF 51kB)
     
     A Certificate of Title will be required to be submitted with this application. This may be
     obtained from the Land Information NZ, Private Bag 6009, Napier phone (06) 835 7369.
     
     
   • If a Resource Consent has been issued for the premises, a Resource Management
     Certificate is required to confirm that the proposed use of the premises complies with the
     conditions of the Resource Consent and the Resource Management Act.
     
     Resource Management Certificate application (PDF 50kB)

   If you are unsure under which category your application falls, please contact Hastings District Council on 871 5000.

2. Certificate under the Building Act.
   

1. • This certificate is issued to confirm that the premises meet with the requirements of the
     Building Act in respect of the proposed usage.
     Application Fee - $60.00
     
     Building Certificate of Compliance application (PDF 56kB)
     
     A copy of the plan of the premises is required to be submitted with this application.

Host Responsibility Policy

A host responsibility policy outlines the steps you will take to minimise potential harm to patrons from alcohol consumption.

The manager upholds any conditions imposed under the licence. Encouraging patrons to enjoy but not abuse alcohol is promoted by:

• Making sure non-alcoholic and low-alcohol refreshments are available.
• Providing food
• Being responsible for who is (or is not) being served
• Making sure people do not drink and drive by providing assistance or information about alternative forms of transport.

See the Alcohol Advisory website for more information on host responsibility.

Application process

1. Notification

The application is required to be publicly advertised by the applicant in the local newspaper and on the premises. Refer to application form for time frames which must be strictly followed.

2. Objections

Any person may lodge objections. However, these persons must have a particular interest greater than the general public (for example, hires or owns a neighbouring premises to where the licence is to be held).

3. Processing application

Following receipt of the application by the District Licensing Agency (Hastings District Council), copies are sent to the Police, the Agency's Liquor Licensing Inspector and the Medical Officer of Health for their reports on the application.

4. Decision Contested Applications

(Other than Special Licences)
If there are any valid objections, the application is sent to the Liquor Licensing Authority (LLA) in Wellington for their decision. It is usual for a Public Hearing to be held before a decision is made. Hearings are usually held at the Napier District Court. The frequency will vary depending on the number of cases pending.

Contested Special Licences
These are referred to the District Licensing Agency Hearings Committee for a decision.

Uncontested applications
The District Licensing Agency considers all uncontested applications and sets the conditions that will apply to any licence granted.

Contact

For more information on the process of a liquor licence application, contact an Environmental Health officer on resource@hdc.govt.nz or phone 06 871 5000.