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Special Licence for Liquor Licensing

If you wish to sell and supply liquor for event/s held at an unlicensed premises (including local halls, parks or sports ground) or an on licensed premises (including sports clubs) attended by non-members, or outside licensed hours, you may need a special licence.

This licence is only valid for the time frame permitted by the special licence. It can apply to a property, location or conveyance (for example, a boat or train).

The applicant must allow at least a minimum of 20 working days between lodging of the application and the proposed occasion or event for which the licence is sought (failure to receive the application within this period could result in the application not being processed).

When is a Special Licence Needed?

A bottle of wine can be consumed on public property such as the beach or park without the need for a liquor licence, but if you are holding a function in a public area that is cordoned off or under cover (e.g. a marquee) you must apply for a special licence for the sale or supply of liquor.

A special licence is required if liquor is sold or supplied:

  • At any function where no on licence or club licence exists
  • At any function or any unlicensed premises (e.g. local hall) or conveyance (e.g. boat) where the caterer does not have an endorsed off licence 
  • At a function in club premises at which non-members are present 
  • Outside the hours or area authorised on an existing on licence or club licence 
  • To people attending any 'particular' occasion or event or series of occasions or events, e.g. a wedding or 21st birthday, including occasions at a private residence.

Examples of series of 'one-off' functions include:

  • A three-day event where you may wish to sell or supply liquor, and will be required to apply for one special licence for a series of days
  • A social club that holds drinks on the last Friday of each month can apply for all of these Fridays on the one special licence application.

You can apply in advance for these occasions/events if the event dates are known. The event must generally be held on the same premises.

You are not required to hold a special licence:

  • If you are supplying liquor to your guests in your own private residence
  • If your guests are bringing liquor to your own private residence.

Applying for a Special Licence

Special licences cannot be renewed. However, if you know the dates of future events to be held at the same venue, you can obtain up to 12 events on a special licence for future events on a single application.

  • The fee for a special licence is $64.40. This fee is non-refundable
  • If you do not own the premises, the owner's consent must be included with the application
  • A plan of the premises must be included in the application
  • The processing time for an application for a special licence is 20 working days
  • The company or person taking the profit from the sale of liquor should be the applicant
  • If you are applying for a special licence, you need to provide all the required information when you lodge the application to avoid a delay in processing.

A special licence cannot permit the applicant to breach any other legislation or any rule in the Waimakariri District Plan. It is important to check existing resource consents before you apply, as the restriction of operation hours in the resource consent will take precedence.

Apply for a Special Licence

  • Download and complete the special licence application form
  • Send two copies of your application, including all the required information and the $64.40 fee to:

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

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