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On Licence

An on licence authorises the holder to sell or supply liquor that will be consumed on the premises or conveyances. This includes premises or conveyances (for example, boats and buses) that serve drinks and provide corkage and glasses. Liquor cannot be removed from these premises or conveyances.  

When liquor is being sold or supplied to the public, a person with a current manager's certificate must be on duty at all times. 

General Guidelines 

The fee for an on licence is $793.24 and for a BYO on licence it is $134.94. The fee must be paid at the time of application and is non-refundable.

Before you apply for your on licence you will need to obtain:

  • Building and planning certificates of compliance
  • A scale plan showing those parts of the premises to be used for the sale or supply of liquor, and those part of the premises (if any) that you designate as restricted or supervised areas
  • A map showing the location of the premises, as well as each entrance to the premises that you designate as a principal entrance
  • A photograph of the exterior of the premises (or an artist's impression of the exterior of the proposed premises as they will look when completed) 
  • A sample menu presently in use (or proposed to be used should the premises become licensed)
  • A Certificate of Incorporation if you have a company, and a Host Responsibility Policy
  • If you are not the owner of the premises, a written statement from the owner to the effect that there is no objection to the grant of the licence.

Once your complete application has been received, the processing time frame is approximately 20 working days. 

Public Notices 

You must give public notice of the application in the prescribed form, within 20 working days after filing the application. Please place the notice in the public notice section of a local paper, for example The Press, Northern Outlook or North Canterbury News.

Copies of the published public notice(s) and dates must be forwarded to the Waimakariri District Licensing Agency as soon as possible.

Within 10 working days after filing this application with the District Licensing Agency, the applicant must ensure that notice of the application in form 1A is attached in an obvious place on or adjacent to the site to which the application relates (unless the Secretary of the District Licensing Agency agrees that it is impracticable or unreasonable to do so).

Apply for an On Licence (Premises)

  • Download and complete the on licence (premises) application form 
  • Send two copies of your application, including all the required information and the $793.24 fee to:

    The Secretary
    Waimakariri District Licensing Agency
    Waimakariri District Council
    Private Bag 1005
    Rangiora 7440.

Certificates of Compliance (for Premises Only)

Certificates of Compliance are required to be lodged with your liquor licence application. The Certificates confirm that your premises and the use of your premises does not conflict with the Waimakariri District Plan and the Building Act 2004. Failure to supply these certificates will cause processing delays.

Applications should include all necessary information, particularly existing resource consents and planning certificates (if any), planned usage of floor areas for all buildings on site, proposed or existing opening hours and maximum number of occupants. Scaled site plans must also be provided. The site plans must also demonstrate the car parking provided for each activity on site.

On Licence for a Conveyance

To apply for an on licence for a conveyance, you are required to provide the following:

  • If relevant, a current Safe Ship Management Certificate (sea vessels), Airworthiness Certificate (aeroplanes) or Certificate of Fitness/Warrant of Fitness (vehicles)
  • If you do not own the conveyance, the owner's consent must be included with the application
  • A layout plan of the conveyance.

Please note that this licence is initially renewable after one year then every three years after that.

Apply for an On Licence (Conveyance) 

  • Download and complete the on licence (conveyance) application form
  • Send two copies of your application, including all the required information and the $793.24 fee to:

    The Secretary
    Waimakariri District Licensing Agency
    Waimakariri District Council
    Private Bag 1005
    Rangiora 7440.

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