What is your event?
The size and type of event of your event will affect:
- how much notice is required (a minimum of four weeks)
- what plans will need to be supplied with the application
- what licences will need to be applied for (e.g. do you need a special event alcohol licence)?
All plans and licence applications should be in place before you send in your event application.
A refundable bond applies to all events. Find the refundable bond form here.
'Special event' categories
Does your event fit one of the special categories listed below? If yes, then click on the event to access the application form for that 'special event'. If your event doesn't fit these categories, use our 'size of event' definitions below to find the right fit for your event, then follow the prompts to the correct application form.
'Size of event' categories
If your event is not related to a filming or drone permit, please read our event size definitions below to find one that describes your event best.
The event size is not only about the number of people attending but includes considerations like:
- are road closures required?
- will it impact infrastructure?
- will there be food vendors (and how many)?
- is security needed?
A small event is defined as having:
- no road closures or disruption to transport routes
- no (registered) food vendors
- no more than two amusement devices (e.g. bouncy castle)
- less than five items of simple infrastructure (e.g. portable toilets, small stage or gazebo)
- fewer that 100 people attending.
Examples are:
- wedding ceremonies
- family reunions
- fundraising events
- park-based fun runs or walks.
When to apply for a small event
You should apply a minimum of four weeks before the event.
Required plans and documents
- Payment of refundable bond
- Small Event Waste Minimisation Plan
- Small event health and safety plan - please complete this form.
- A copy of the current Operators Licence (for amusement devices)
- Special Liquor Licence (if you plan to consume alcohol in an alcohol ban area)
- If you plan to put up a structure, check if you need a Building Consent
- If you plan to put up a structure, do you need to apply for Building Consent Exemption.
A medium event size is one that has the following potential impacts:
- minor road closures and potential disruption to transport routes
- one to five food vendors and/or liquor-licensed areas
- five or more amusement devices (e.g. bouncy castles)
- five or more items of simple infrastructure (e.g. portable toilets, small stage or gazebo)
- infrastructure that requires Building Consent (e.g. marquees)
- multiple contractors
- fees for commercial use of a reserve
- between 100 to 400 people expected to attend.
Examples are:
- triathlons
- large scale sporting events
- music events with stages
- circus.
When to apply for a medium event
You should apply a minimum of four to six months prior to the event.
Required plans and documents
- Payment of refundable bond
- Medium Event Waste Minimisation Plan
- Medium event health and safety plan - please complete this form.
- Temporary Road Closure and Traffic Management Plan (follow this link to Corridor Access Request information, which includes submitting a traffic management plan)
- A copy of the current Operators Licence for amusement devices
- Food Vendors licence list
- Special Liquor Licence
- If you plan to put up a structure, check if you need a Building Consent
- If you plan to put up a structure, do you need to apply for Building Consent Exemption
- Public Liability Insurance (which must be current as at the event date).
A large event may impact the wider community, require public consultation, or include:
- road closures, disruption to transport and high traffic volume
- multiple food vendors and/or liquor-licensed areas
- significant infrastructure builds
- multiple event sites and/or across multiple days
- crowd control or security required
- pyrotechnics (fireworks)
- Resource Consent requirements
- fees for commercial use of a reserve
- more than 400 people expected to attend.
Examples are:
- major sporting event
- major music festivals
When to apply for a large event
You should apply a minimum of eight months prior to the event. A pre-event planning meeting with Far North District Council staff is a pre-requisite.
Required plans and documents
- Payment of refundable bond
- Pre-event and post-event site inspections
- Resource Consent may be required
- Event Management Plan
- Waste Minimisation Plan
- Event health and safety plan - please complete this form.
- Site Plan
- Public Liability Insurance (which must be current as at the event date)
- Temporary Road Closure and Traffic Management Plan, (follow this link to Corridor Access Request information, which includes submitting a traffic management plan)
- a copy of the current Operators Licence for amusement devices
- Food Vendors licence list
- Special Liquor Licence
- If you plan to put up a structure, check if you need a Building Consent
- If you plan to put up a structure, do you need to apply for Building Consent Exemption.