Club Licence

Application for a club licence

While any club can apply for a club licence, it is highly recommended that the club is an incorporated society. The Ministry of Commerce’s Business & Registry Branch handles the registration of incorporation of clubs.

The club must: 

• Have a set of rules or constitution 
• Have a secretary at all times 
• Ensure that all proceeds from the sale of liquor belong to the club 
• Have a reasonable range of non-alcoholic drinks available for consumption 
• Ensure that the sale of liquor is not the predominant use of the premises 
• Appoint at least one person who holds a Manager's certificate under the Sale of Liquor Act (1989). This person has the responsibility of operating within the conditions imposed on the club licence. The Committee must respect this position and support the manager in his or her duties. 

Step 1

Is the proposed premises or site in Waitakere City? 
If Yes, go to Step 2 
If No, contact the District Licensing Agency where the premises is located (i.e. the local council). 

Step 2

Does the premises have an existing liquor licence? 

If Yes, contact us for advice about a temporary authority.
If No, print off a copy of an application form. 

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Club Licence Application Form (Size 43K)

Information required for a club licence application

The District Licensing Agency requires three copies of the application.

The application form requires: 

• Details of club, including incorporation details 
• Status of club (chartered, sports or other) 
• Predominant purpose of club 
• Membership details 
• Details of Secretary 
• Detail of premises - Lot & DP numbers 
• Owner of premises name, address and a lease agreement or other formal right to use
• Intended designated areas 
• Club activities 
• A copy of the club's constitution or rules 
• Hours & days proposed for the sale of liquor 
• Provision of food & non-alcoholic refreshments and copy of full menu 
• How the club proposes to ensure that requirements of the Sale of Liquor Act are observed – i.e. host responsibility, prohibited persons 
• Photograph of exterior (if existing building) or artist's impression if yet to be built 
• Map showing location of the premises 
• Scale plan showing principal entrances, areas of sale of liquor and designations 
• Written statement from the owner (if not the club) stating they have no objection to the grant of a liquor licence 
• Certificate of compliance (town planning approval) 
• Fire/egress inspection (building approval) 
• Copy of manager's certificate/s 
• Any further information the Inspector may require.

Advertising

When the application has been filed with the District Licensing Agency the club has 20 working days to give public notice of the application. The notice must be published twice in a newspaper circulating in the district where the premise is situated, with not less than 5 days and not more than 10 days between the two dates of application.

The club is required to give photocopies showing the newspaper title, date of publishing and the public notices to the District Licensing Agency.

The public has the right to object (on limited grounds) to the application.

What happens to the application after it has been filed? 

Once the District Licensing Agency receives the application and all necessary supporting documents, a copy is sent to the Police who make a recommendation on the application. If food is involved (which is the case in all club and on-licence applications) then a copy is also sent to the Medical Officer of Health who makes a recommendation on the application.

The District Licensing Agency collates the reports received from the Police and the Medical Officer of Health, and any objections that may have been received from the public regarding the application.

The Sale of Liquor Inspector will make a report and recommendation on the application, and gives the complete file to the secretary of the District Licensing Agency.

If no objection is received or reported, the secretary may issue the licence. In most cases the District Licensing Agency will decide the application as presented, and issue the licence for one year.

If there are public objections or objection within any of the reports the matter is forwarded to the Liquor Licensing Authority in Wellington. The Authority schedules a hearing and hears the application.

Costs

The following fees must be paid:

The following fees may have to be paid:

Processing time of application

The processing time of applications for on-licences can vary - the Sale of Liquor Inspector must have a complete file to pass onto the Police and in the case of new applications, onto the District Licensing Agency.

Length of validity

A club licence is usually issued for one year. It may then be renewed for a further three years.