Manager's Certificate

A manager with a current General Manager's Certificate must be on duty at all times on the premises while liquor is being sold and consumed. The manager's name must be clearly visible inside the premises.

The certificate expires after one year, and can then be renewed for a further three years.

The manager's attention will be focused on the safety and enforcement of the Sale of Liquor Act, and to make sure the premises' patrons are not in excess of alcohol limits and take responsible precautions.

Managers will have to show an extensive knowledge and understanding of the Sale of Liquor Act, and have to had completed appropriate qualifications and gained managerial experience for the certificate.

Application for Manager's Certificate

Manager's Certificate application form (PDF 72kB)

Licence Controller Qualification

All holders of current General Manager's Certificates and all new General Manager's Certificate applicants are required by law to hold the nationally-recognised Licence Controller Qualification.

This has been developed by the NZ hospitality industry to standardise and improve the overall quality and skill of managers working on licensed premises. It is only available to people already working in a liquor supply environment.

You will need this qualification before your application for a General Manager's Certificate will be considered by the District Licensing Agency.

For further information, please visit the Hospitality Standards Insitute website.

Where You Can Complete Your Qualification

With regard to training, the following people/organisations offer courses that meet the requirement referred to in Item 3 above. Please note the presence of names on this list does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation from Hastings District Council. Other training providers may also be able to assist in meeting the training requirement.

• Hospitality Training Professionals (HTP)
  Contact Poppy Clapperton on 0800 4 Poppy or 021 529669
  admin@htpnz.co.nz
  http://www.htpnz.co.nz
• Liquor Licensing Bureau.
  Visit www.train2serve.com (Internet Training Course) or www.liquorlicensing.co.nz (Correspondence Course) or phone 0800 227 872
• FutureCol – College of Future Learning NZ
  Contact the college on 878 5428 or hastings@futurecol.co.nz
• Innovative Educators. Contact 877 2123 or 027 326 7109 or hts@clear.net.nz
• Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT)
  Contact 974 8000 or www.eit.ac.nz
• W. A. Consulting – Brett Jones & Associates Ltd. Contact provider on 0800 644 555 or
  04 499 6343. www.wacon.co.nz

For a full list of training providers, visit the Hospitality Standards Institute website www.hsi.co.nz

Renewal of Manager's Certificate

The Manager's Certificate expires after one year, and needs to be renewed every three years with the District Licensing Agency. The important thing to remember is that the application for a renewal certificate must be filed with the District Licensing Agency before the certificate expires.

General Manager's Certificates cannot be renewed unless the holder has a Licence Controller qualification.

It is your responsibility to renew your certificate. If your certificate expires before it has been renewed then you have to apply for a new certificate - including being re-tested and interviewed.

Renewal of Managers Certificate application form (PDF 73kB)

Temporary or Acting Manager

When a manager is ill, absent, dismissed or resigns, the licensee may appoint someone who does not hold a manager's certificate as a temporary manager. The Police, District Licensing Agency (DLA) and the Liquor Licensing Authority (LLA) must be notified of this appointment, unless it is for less than 48 hours.

Within two working days of the appointment the temporary manager must apply for his/her own manager's certificate. The temporary manager status will remain in force until the manager's certificate application has been determined. However, if a manager's certificate application is not received within the two days, the appointment becomes unacceptable and invalid.

Acting Manager

When a manager is ill or absent the licensee may appoint someone who does not hold a manager's certificate as an acting manager. The Police, DLA and LLA must be notified of this appointment unless it is for less than 48 hours.

This appointment can be for any period up to three weeks at any one time. A person cannot be appointed as acting manager for any more than six weeks in total in any 12 month period.

Contact the Licensing Inspector or Environmental Health Officer at the Hastings District Council if you have any questions or problems on 06 871 5000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  What if I'm going to be a manager in another district?
A.  Where the applicant is presently employed as a manager, it should be filed with the District Licensing Agency for the district in which the applicant is employed. In all other cases, it should be filed with the District Licensing Agency for the district in which the applicant is residing.

Q. Can I trade before I get my licence?
A. You cannot sell or supply alcohol without a licence. However if the premises has a current licence at the time you take over the business, you may be able to obtain a Temporary Authority. This permits you to operate for three months, based on those exiting licence conditions.

Q. Is it wrong to promote cheap drinks?
A. The promotions that you run on your premises are an important part of your approach to host responsibility. Some promotions are contrary to the object of the Sale of Liquor Act (section 4) in that they promote liquor abuse. Examples of this sort of promotion would be "All you can drink for $25", "Caribbean night 50 cent drinks until 12 midnight".

These promotions encourage patrons to drink more liquor, but not necessarily spend more money.