Apply for or renew manager's certificate

If you are applying for an On, Off or Club alcohol licence, you must have a certified Duty Manager who has both a Licence Controller Qualification and a manager’s certificate. 

Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ)

To apply for or renew a manager's certificate, a Licence Controller qualification must be held.

The Licence Controller qualification covers two unit standards. Successfully completing these unit standards demonstrates knowledge of:

  • the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and its implications for licensed premises
  • host responsibility requirements as a duty manager of licensed premises.

Find Licence Controller Qualification Training Providers

If you have the Licence Controller qualification, but it refers to the Sale of Liquor Act 1989, it is still valid provided you completed the online Licence Controller Qualification Bridging Test between 18 December 2013 and 31 January 2017.

A manager's certificate is required if you want to work as a duty manager at any business that sells or serves alcohol. 

A new manager's certificate is issued for 12 months. A renewal application is then generally renewed for three years.

Renewal applications must be made before the expiry date of your certificate.

If you do not renew it before it expires, you will need to apply for a new manager's certificate.

Apply for a new certificate

Step 1.Check criteria

To apply for a manager’s certificate you must:

  • be 20 years of age or older
  • be working in a licensed premises in New Zealand
  • have at least six months experience working in a licensed premises in New Zealand.
  • hold a Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) Certificate or have successfully completed unit standards 4646 (version 8 or a later version) and 16705 (version 5 or a later version).

Step 2.Gather required information

You must include the following with your application:

  • a colour copy of your New Zealand drivers' licence or passport
  • a copy of your Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) Certificate OR proof that you have successfully completed unit standards 4646 (version 8 or later) and 16705 (version 5 or later)
  • a copy of your Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) Bridging Test Certificate (if your Licence Controller Qualification Certificate was issued under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989)
  • a written reference from your employer at the licensed premises at which you are currently employed noting your employment, how long you have worked there and any relevant duties.
  • details of any convictions you may have.

If you need to obtain a Licence Controll Qualification (LCQ) Certificate, please visit the NZ Qualifications Authority website for more information.

Step 3.Complete application

Download, print and complete the application form:

New manager's certificate application form(PDF, 297KB)

Step 4.Submit application

Submit your completed application and required documents by email, post or in-person.

By email: mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

By post:

Whangarei District Council
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

In-person

Te Iwitahi (civic centre)
 9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Step 5.Pay fee

You must pay your application fee before your application can be accepted.

Alcohol licences and certificates fees

If you submit your application in-person, you can pay by cash, Eftpos or credit card at one of our Customer Service Centres.

If you submit your application by email or post, we will email you an invoice. You can pay online, in-person or by internet banking.

Pay an application fee

Step 6.Attend an interview

You will need to attend an interview with an alcohol licensing inspector. This will be scheduled if required.

Renew a certificate

Step 1.Check criteria

To apply for a renewal of manager's certificate you must:

  • have a current manager's certificate
  • hold a Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) Certificate or have successfully completed unit standards 4646 (version 8 or a later version) and 16705 (version 5 or a later version)
  • be working or intend to be working in a licensed premises in New Zealand.

Step 2.Gather required information

You must include the following with your application:

  • a colour copy of your New Zealand drivers' licence or passport
  • a copy of your current managers certificate
  • a copy of your Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) Certificate OR proof that you have successfully completed unit standards 4646 (version 8 or later) and 16705 (version 5 or later)
  • a copy of your Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) Bridging Test Certificate (if your Licence Controller Qualification Certificate was issued under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989)
  • details of any convictions you may have.

Step 3.Complete renewal application

Download, print and complete the application form.

Renewal of manager's certificate application form(PDF, 306KB)

Step 4.Submit application

Submit your completed application and required documents by email, post or in-person.

By email: mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

By post:

Whangarei District Council
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

In-person

Te Iwitahi (civic centre)
 9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Step 5.Pay fee

You must pay your application fee before your application can be accepted.

Alcohol licences and certificates fees

If you submit your application in-person, you can pay by cash, Eftpos or credit card at one of our Customer Service Centres.

If you submit your application by email or post, we will email you an invoice. You can pay online, in-person or by internet banking.

Pay an application fee

Step 6.Attend an interview

You will need to attend an interview with an alcohol licensing inspector. This will be scheduled if required.

A certified manager must be on duty at all times when alcohol is being sold or supplied to the public. If the certified manager is ill, absent, dismissed or has resigned, a licensee can formally appoint a temporary or Acting Manager. 

You are legally required to give us notice of the appointment, or termination of the appointment, of any manager, Temporary Manager, or Acting Manager.  

Notice must be given within 48 hours of the appointment or termination being made.

It is not necessary to notify us if the appointment will not exceed 48 hours, however it is recommended that such appointments are recorded in a daybook, or log book, along with the reason for the appointment. 

Complete a s231 Notice to notify us of the management change.

Notice of Management Change form (s231 notice)(PDF, 285KB)

You must hold a register (list) of all the certificated managers you use at your premises. This must be available for Police or Inspectors to view at all times. You can create your own register or use our template.

Register of Certificated Managers Template(PDF, 11KB)

Report it

Use our online forms to report a food, alcohol or health issue.

Report an issue

Enquiries

Use our online form for health and alcohol enquiries.

Enquire online

Phone: 09 430 4200

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