Alcohol LicencesRaihana hoki waipiro

Licence requirements and the criteria the Committee considers when making decisions on them are set out in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and Regulations.

There are four types of licences (click the links for more information and access to the on-line application forms):

A licence is issued to a named person, company or legal entity, linked to a premises or conveyance. Conveyances are vehicles such as aircraft, vessels, trains etc.

A licence cannot be transferred from one person to another, or from one premises or conveyance to another, however a temporary authority can be issued while a new licence application is being processed (see below).

Contact us if you plan on selling or supplying alcohol to the public as you will need to consider planning and building issues and any other rules specific to the suburb in which you plan to operate. You will also need to talk to us about requirements for food business registration, and kitchen and toilet facilities.

All applications are now lodged online. If you have technical difficulties please contact Council; phone +64 871 5000.

Temporary authorities

A temporary authority allows a new owner to trade for a limited time on an existing on-licence or off-licence while an application for a new licence is in progress.

The Temporary Authority is issued for three months and can only be granted where the existing licence is still current (has not expired or been surrendered).

APPLY FOR A TEMPORARY AUTHORITY HERE.

Local Alcohol Policy (LAP)

New Zealand’s alcohol laws were reformed in 2012, The Sale of Liquor Act 1989 was repealed and replaced with The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (SSAA 2012).

The new Act has put in place a new system of control over the sale and supply of alcohol with an emphasis on local decision making and harm minimisation. The object of the Act is that:

1. The sale, supply and consumption of alcohol should be undertaken safely and responsibly; and
2. The harm caused by the excessive or inappropriate consumption of alcohol should be minimise.

The SSAA 2012 enabled Councils to develop a Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) in order to control where and when alcohol can be sold. This LAP can then be utilised and considered by the District Licensing Committee when making decisions on alcohol licences.

Hastings District Council chose to complete a combined LAP with Napier City Council, On July 11 and 23, 2019 after a lengthy process the Councils resolved to bring the LAP into force.

The joint LAP in essence contains the following provisions:

• Maximum trading hours for on, off, club and special licenses
• A one way door policy for on licences
• Location rules – where licenses can be situated
• Discretionary Conditions – such as the requirement of security

VIEW THE HASTINGS DISTRICT & NAPIER CITY COUNCILS' LOCAL ALCOHOL POLICY

For further information please contact the Alcohol Licensing Inspector.

Impartiality and avoidance of conflicts of interest

The impartiality and integrity of Council employees in all work undertaken by staff is central to the maintenance of public confidence in the Council.  Council employees are subject to the Hastings District Council conflicts of interest policy.