Apply for a special alcohol licence

Step 1.Check if you need a special licence

You can use our quick online tool to find out whether you need a special licence for your event and download the forms to notify us of a social event or apply for dispensation.

Do you need a special licence?

Step 2.Determine event size

• large event – attended by more than 400 people
• medium event – attended by 100 to 400 people
• small event – attended by less than 100 people.

If you are planning a large-scale event, additional information is required, including an Alcohol Management Plan. 

Alcohol Management Plan Template (research.alcohol.org.nz)

For event guidelines, visit The Health Promotion Agency’s website.

Guidelines for managing alcohol at large events (research.alcohol.org.nz)

Step 3.Check applicable fee

The fee depends on the size of your event, and how many events (of similar nature) are applied for on one application. Further information is on the application form.

Alcohol licences certificates fees

Step 4.Complete application

Download, print and complete the application form.

Apply for a special alcohol licence(PDF, 287KB)

Step 5.Submit your application

You can submit your completed application and fee to us by email, by post or in person.   

• For small and medium scale events: the application must be submitted and the payment cleared, at least 20 working days before the event.  
• For large events (400+ attendees): applications must be submitted at least 40 working days prior to the event.
• For very large events (1000+) or large events held over more than one day: we strongly recommend you contact us at least 60 working days in advance to discuss your proposal.

Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, weekends, statutory holidays and any days from 20 December through to and including 15 January, are not considered working days.  

Summer holiday period

Please take the summer holiday period into consideration if you are applying for a special licence for an event between late December and mid-February.

Generally, an application for this period needs to be lodged by 18 November for a small or medium-scale event, to ensure it can be processed in time.

Step 6.Wait for decision

The application is reviewed and reported on by the Alcohol Harm Reduction Officer at the New Zealand Police (Whangārei District), Medical Officer of Health at Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) – Te Tai Tokerau, and one of our Licensing Officers.

If there are any issues or concerns with the application, or it is opposed by any of those mentioned above, you will be contacted.

The application is forwarded to the District Licensing Committee to consider. If your application is granted, we will issue the licence.  If declined, you will not receive a refund.

District Licensing Committee