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Club licence - information 

Application for a club licence

While any club can apply for a club licence, it is highly recommended that the club is an incorporated society. The Commerce Ministry Business & Registry Branch deal with the registration of incorporation of clubs.

The club must:

• Have a set of rules or constitution
• Have a secretary at all times
• Ensure all proceeds from the sale of liquor belong to the club
• Have a reasonable range of non-alcoholic drinks available for consumption
• Ensure that the sale of liquor is not the predominant use of the premises
• Appoint at least one person who holds a Manager's certificate under the Sale of Liquor Act (1989). This person has the responsibility of operating within the conditions imposed on the club licence. The Committee must respect this position and support the manager in his or her duties.

Can I obtain a Temporary Authority for a club?

NO, Clubs are not permitted to apply for a Temporary Authority.

For more information please contact the DLA Inspector by using our normal contact details.

Information required for a club licence application

The District Licensing Agency requires three copies of the application form and supporting documentation.
Application requires:

• Details of club, including incorporation details
• Status of club (chartered, sports or other)
• Predominant purpose of club
• Membership details
• Details of Secretary
• Premises detail - lot & DP numbers, physical address
• Owner of premises name, address and lease agreement
• Designated areas
• Club activities
• A copy of the club's constitution or rules
• Hours & days proposed for the sale of liquor
• Provision of food & non-alcoholic refreshments and copy of full menu
• How the club proposes to ensure requirements of the Sale of Liquor Act are observed - i.e. host
  responsibility, prohibited persons - House Policy
• A written statement explaining how the club deals with:
  practice times for various teams & their social activities
  fundraising events
  annual events
  policy on private hire of clubrooms etc.
• 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 club) stating they have no objection to the grant of a liquor licence
• Certificate of compliance (town planning approval), including building code and fire egress inspection detail
• Copy of manager's certificate/s

What happens to the application after it has been filed?

Once the District Licensing Agency receives the application and all necessary supporting documents from the applicant, a copy is sent to the Police who make a recommendation on the application. If food is involved (which is the case in all club and on licence applications) then a copy is also sent to the Medical Officer of Health  who makes a recommendation on the application.

When the application has been filed with the District Licensing Agency the applicant has 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. The newspapers for this district are the Northland Age (Kaitaia/Mangonui) and the Northern News for all other areas.

The public have the right to object (on limited grounds) to the application.

The club is required to give copies and photocopies showing the newspaper title, date of publishing and the public notices to the DLA Inspector, together with written confirmation of when the notices have been placed on the site.

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 DLA Inspector will 

EITHER approve the application and recommend issuance as long as there are no objections 

OR - where there are objections - make a recommendation on the application, and send the complete file to the Liquor Licensing Authority.  

If any objections received are considered valid, a hearing will be organised by the Liquor Licensing Authority. The hearings will be held at a location that will be advised by the Liquor Licensing Authority.

Cost

Check the Consolidated fees Schedule for charges - or Contact Us

Processing time of application

The processing time of applications for club licences can vary - the DLA Inspector must have a complete file to pass onto the Police and to the Medical Officer of Health.

A complete file consists of all the information required as above.

Length of validity

A club licence is usually issued for one year, then may be renewed for a further three years.

SCANZ (Sports Clubs Association NZ)

The Sporting Clubs Association of New Zealand (SCANZ) SCANZ is a membership organisation set up to assist sporting clubs with a liquor licence and Club Managers Certificate. Members are provided with regular updates and advice on matters pertaining to the Sale of Liquor Act 1989. 

SCANZ has local contacts around the country. Contact: Chief Executive PO Box 1080, Dunedin, ph 0800 655 889, fax 03 455 8697 or email sportingclubs@xtra.co.nz

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