This page contains information about liquor licensing and an outline of Council's role as District Licensing Agency.
Updated:
3/02/2016 2:56 p.m.
Changes to the liquor licensing laws
On 18 December 2013, the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (the Act) came into full force and replaced the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.
While many of the requirements of this new Act are unchanged from the previous statute, there are other changes which will affect applicants for liquor licences.
If you want to sell alcohol as a business, or club or want to sell at a special event you must hold the appropriate licence.
Applying for a Liquor Licence
Councils role – The District Licensing Committee
Under the Act, Council has established a new District Licensing Committee, with Cr John Williamson as chairman.
Together with two members selected from the community, (called list members) this committee will determine all applications, including contested applications, in the district.
The committee makes decisions independent of Council and has experience in liquor licensing matters.
Council separately processes all applications, and our licensing inspectors together with the Police and Medical Officer of Health report to the committee on each application.
Once the committee grants an application, we then issue the licence.
Our licensing inspectors and partner enforcement agencies undertake inspection of licensed premises to ensure that the sale of alcohol is properly conducted.
Functions of the Whangarei District Licensing Committee - Annual Report [148kb]
District Licensing Decisions
Liquor Licensing Policy
We work along side the Police, Fire Service and Northland Health on strategies to minimise the harm caused by alcohol abuse.
Our Liquor Licensing Policy, developed and adopted through a special consultative process, allows all people in the community to have a say about how alcohol is sold in the district.
The policy provides for important community issues, in particular maximum licensing hours and was adopted in August 2010.
We are currently developing a Local Alcohol Policy, under the Act, which will eventually replace the existing liquor licensing policy.
Until that time the existing policy will continue to provide guidance to the community and to the District Licensing Committee
For further information about our existing Liquor Licensing Policy and to view the full version of it, follow the link below.
Liquor Licensing Policy
Liquor bans
To ensure safe and welcoming public places such as our beaches and parks, there are areas in the district where liquor bans are in place.
Our Liquor Management Bylaw contains a schedule of these areas and accompanying maps.
To view details, follow the link below.
Liquor Management Bylaw