Applying for an Off-licence

Application for an off-licence

Only the Licensing Trusts or winemakers or a club other than a sports club (i.e. RSA clubs) are able to apply for an off-licence in Waitakere City. This is because Waitakere City is a Trust area. Therefore, people cannot open up a wholesaler outlet, or sell wine as part of a gift basket.

If the proposed premises or site is not in Waitakere City contact the local council. 

Print off an application form an off-licence here. 

Information required for an off-licence

The District Licensing Agency requires three copies of the application. 

• Details of applicant, including Certificate of Incorporation if applicant is a company
• Names, birth dates and addresses of partners if the applicant is a partnership
• Details of premises - Lot and DP numbers
• Owner of premises name, address and lease agreement 
• Hours and days proposed for the sale of liquor 
• How the applicant proposes to ensure 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 premises 
• Scale plan showing principal entrances, areas of sale of liquor and designations 
• Written statement from the owner (if not the applicant) stating that 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 

Advertising

When your application has been filed with the District Licensing Agency you have 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.

You are required to give photocopies showing the newspaper title, date of publishing and the public notices to the Sale of Liquor Inspector.

The public has the right to object 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. 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 recommendation on the application. Where no objections are received or reported the file is sent to the District Licensing Agency. In most cases the District Licensing Agency will decide the application as presented, and issue the licence for one year.

If any objections are received, or reports raising concerns, the file is sent to the Liquor Licensing Authority, which will organise a hearing. 

Costs

The following fees must be paid:

Processing time

The processing time of applications for off-licences can vary and depends on a range of things (e.g. how long the applicant takes to advertise, the information provided, response of the Police). If there are objections the length of time will depend on when the Liquor Licensing Authority can hear the matter.

Length of validity

An off-licence is usually issued for one year. It may then be renewed for a further three years.