Licensing Trusts in Waitakere City
Why Waitakere City is a
trust area
Waitakere City used to be a dry area - there were no taverns or pubs or wholesalers. In 1972 the electors in Waitakere City voted on whether they wished Waitakere City to remain dry or to allow a Licensing Trust(s) to administer the sale and supply of liquor. The electors voted for a Trust(s) to be
established.
What is a licensing
trust?
A trust is a board of elected representatives (separate from the Council) that administer premises selling liquor within the boundaries of its district.
Waitakere City is served by two trusts:
- The Portage Licensing Trust serves the New Lynn to Waikumete
Cemetery, Glen Eden to Titirangi areas.
- The Waitakere Licensing Trust serves Glendene, Piha, Henderson, Te Atatu areas through to Kumeu (which is in the Rodney District Licensing Agency's jurisdiction).
Community bodies make application to these Trusts for funding. The funds are regularly distributed by the Trusts from their profits.
The Trusts must abide by the Sale of Liquor Act 1989, but they have certain privileges under Section 216 of the Act. They have the sole right to any tavern and off-licence (i.e, pub, wholesalers) except a manufacturer (i.e. brewery or winemaker) or a club other than a sports club (i.e. an RSA club).
How can I change Waitakere City from being a
trust area?
Under Section 215 of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989, a petition has to be organised for 15% of eligible electors (i.e. residents of Waitakere City over the age of 18 years) to force a poll. This has to be a private initiative – the Council is not involved. On polling day 50% of electors can change the status to allow any type of liquor licence, or the status quo will remain.
For further information, you may wish to contact your lawyer, or contact
us.
Changes to the Licensing Trust
As Waitakere is governed by Licensing Trusts one cannot generally hold an off-license or operate a bar. For exceptions, such as winemakers etc. refer to the section applying for an off-licence.
|
