• A
• A+

What is a manager's certificate?

Under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 there must be a manager on duty at all times when liquor is being sold to the public. A manager must hold a current manager's certificate.

There are two types of manager's certificates:

General manager's certificate - allows the holder to work as a duty manager in all licensed premises ie. restaurants, hotels, taverns, night-clubs, sports clubs etc

Club managers certificate - allows the holder to work as a duty manager only in a club's bar (ie. a sports club or an RSA)

Who can apply for a manager's certificate

Any person over the age of 18 years, with at least6 months work experience in the hospitality trade may apply for a manager's certificate.

How to apply for a new manager's certificate

The same application form is used for both general and club manager's certificate applications.

Step 1. Do you work in a licensed premise?
If YES proceed to Step 3.
If NO go to Step 2.

Step 2. Do you reside in the Far North District?
If YES proceed to Step 4.
If NO go to Step 5.

Step 3. Is the licensed premise in the Far North District?
If YES proceed to Step 4.
If NO go to Step 6.

Step 4. You will need to file your manager's certificate application with the Far North District Licensing Agency.  Applications can be made at any FNDC Service Centre, however the DLA office is located at Kerikeri Service Centre.    The District Licensing Agency recommends the applicant to undertake a Sale of Liquor Act training course.

Step 5. You will need to file your manager's certificate application with the District Licensing Agency that deals with licensing issues in the area where you live (ie. your local council)

Step 6. You will need to file your manager's certificate application with the District Licensing Agency that deals with the licence of the premises where you intend to be manager.

How to apply for a renewal of a manager's certificate (or expired)

The same renewal application form is used for both general and club manager's certificate applications.

Step 1. Has your manager's certificate expired?
If YES you will need to apply for a new manager's certificate. For further information, note the expiry date and contact the DLA Inspector by using our normal contact details.
If NO go to Step 2

Step 2. Do you work in a licensed premise?
If YES proceed to Step 4
If NO go to Step 3

Step 3. Do you reside in the Far North District?
If YES proceed to Step 5
If NO go to Step 6

Step 4. Is the licensed premise in the Far North District?
If YES proceed to Step 5
If NO go to Step 7

Step 5. You will need to file your manager's certificate renewal application with the Far North District Licensing Agency. Applications can be made at any FNDC Service Centre, however the DLA office is located at Kerikeri Service Centre.  

Step 6. You will need to file your manager's certificate renewal application with the District Licensing Agency that deals with licensing issues in the area where you live (ie. your local council)

Step 7. You will need to file your manager's certificate renewal application with the District Licensing Agency that deals with the licence of the premises where you intend to be manager.

For information regarding an expired manager's certificate, please contact the DLA Inspector by using our normal contact details.

Cost of manager's certificate application

The fee is to be paid when filing an application for either a new certificate or a renewal of a manager's certificate. 

The fee is for the lodging of the application, not for the certificate itself and is non-refundable.

Progress of a new manager's certificate

The process:
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.

The DLA inspector makes enquiries with the applicant, and also makes a recommendation on the application. The complete file is then sent to the District Licensing Agency if there are no objections to the application and, if successful, the manager's certificate is issued.  

If there is opposition to application, the complete file is sent to the Liquor Licensing Authority in Wellington.

Applicants are sent copies of the Police and DLA Inspector's reports, and are advised in writing by the Liquor Licensing Authority of the outcome of their application.

Step 1. Have you undertaken an interview with the DLA Inspector?
If YES then proceed to Step 2
If NO then contact the DLA Inspector by using our normal contact details.

Step 2. Have you received copies of reports from the Police and DLA Inspector?
If YES then proceed to Step 3
If NO then contact the DLA Inspector by using our normal contact details.

Step 3. When the file is complete the inspector produces the report and the certificate goes to the Secretary of the District Licencing Agency for approval.

Step 4. In the event of opposition the complete file goes to the Liquor Licensing Authority for approval.

Progress of a renewal manager's certificate

The process:
Once the District Licensing Agency receives the renewal application and all necessary supporting documents from the applicant, a copy is sent to the Police who make a recommendation on the application. 

The DLA Inspector makes enquiries with the applicant, and also makes a recommendation on the application. The complete file is passed to the Secretary of the District Licensing Agency for the final decision, and the manager's certificate is renewed for a further three years if successful.

Applicants are sent copies of the Police and DLA Inspector's reports and renewal certificate.

The DLA Inspector may interview the applicant or send a sale of liquor questionnaire to the applicant.

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

Previous criminal convictions

Previous criminal convictions should be stated on the application form. Having had previous convictions does not necessarily mean you will be refused a manager's certificate. It depends on when the conviction occurred and what it was for. Speeding tickets and parking tickets are excluded.

Sale of Liquor Act training courses

The District Licensing Agency requires new applicants for manager's certificates to undertake a training course on the Sale of Liquor legislation. A qualification from one of the training courses will satisfy the evidence of training question that is asked of applicants in the manager's certificate application form.

The following is a list of courses that provide prospective applicants and licensees with training and a qualification to help obtain a manager's certificate. The courses range in price and are held at different times on different days. Choose one that best suits your circumstances.

PLEASE NOTE:
The training courses are external to Council. It is a separate cost to the applicant and is not connected with the fee for filing an application for a manager's certificate.

This list is for information purposes only and is not to be taken as a recommendation.

Local Training Facilities

Northland Polytech
P O Box 332
KERIKERI 0400 2 x full days
(Consecutive Fridays & Saturdays throughout year) 09 4075660

Tall Tale Tourism Training
P O Box 403
KAITAIA 0500 Various times - day or night 09 4080870

SCANZ
P O Box 1080
DUNEDIN 9015 (Club Manager's only) Correspondence course - 0800 655889

Hospitality 2000
Dirk Boesser
P O Box 34, Whangarei
28 Rathbone Street, Whangarei Various times

Ph: 09 4387775
Cell: 021593194

Processing time of application

The processing time of applications for manager's certificates can vary - the DLA Inspector must have a complete file to pass onto the Police and in the case of new applications, onto the Secretary of the District Licensing Agency.

Temporary Manager

This allows the licensee to appoint someone as a temporary manager in an emergency. Three authorities need to be notified when a temporary manager is appointed for more than 48 hours, the Licensing Authority, your local Police and the District Licensing Agency

. The name of the temporary manager appointed should be displayed as the duty manager.

If this appointment is likely to last more than the two days then the person must have applied for a manager's certificate pursuant to section 118 of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 and then can continue as a temporary manager while the application is being processed.

Acting Manager

Allows for the appointment for a maximum of three weeks at a time, for the licensee to appoint an acting manager to act because of illness or absence and for a total period not exceeding 6 weeks in any 12 month period to allow for leave and holidays.

Collectively these two sections allow emergency appointments of a person without a manager's certificate. A temporary manager's and acting manager's responsibilities are the same as a fully certified manager under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.

Notice of Appointment

Whenever a temporary or acting manager is appointed for more than 48 hours a notice of appointment should be sent to the different authorities.

The simplest way is to send a letter or complete a Notice of Appointment form (available from the DLA Inspector) to:

The Licensing Authority

Your local Police

The District Licensing Agency

Return to Liquor Licensing Information