Object to an alcohol licence application

Who can object to an application for an alcohol licence?

Any person may object to an application for the grant of a licence or renewal of a licence, whether as an individual or as a representative of a group or of an organisation.

When must an objection be made?

Your objection must be filed with the DLC within 25 working days after the first public notice about the application appears on the this website. Public Notices of alcohol licence applications are listed in the public notices section. A notice is also displayed on the premises or site.

Your objection must be made in writing and include your full name, address and contact telephone number. You may object only in relation to matters that are able to be considered when granting a licence - the licence criteria. You should clearly set out the reasons for your objection and also state whether or not you wish to appear at any hearing. Your objection is likely to have greater effect if you attend the hearing personally and speak in support of your submission.

You can make an individual objection or participate in a written group submission, nominating one or two representatives to appear and present the objection at the hearing.

Once your objection is received, it becomes a public document and will be made available to the person applying for the licence and other people or organisations outside the DLC.

On what grounds can an objection be made?

An objection can only be made in relation to the matters listed in section 105 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 for new licences, or Section 132 of the Act for renewals. These are;

1. the object of this Act:
2. the suitability of the applicant:
3. any relevant local alcohol policy:
4. the days on which and the hours during which the applicant proposes to sell alcohol:
5. the design and layout of any proposed premises:
6. whether the applicant is engaged in, or proposes on the premises to engage in, the sale of goods other than alcohol, low-alcohol refreshments, non-alcoholic refreshments, and food, and if so, which goods:
7. whether the applicant is engaged in, or proposes on the premises to engage in, the provision of services other than those directly related to the sale of alcohol, low-alcohol refreshments, non-alcoholic refreshments, and food, and if so, which services:
8. the affect on the amenity and good order of the locality
9. whether the applicant has appropriate systems, staff, and training to comply with the law.

For renewal applications, there is an additional criteria under Section 131 (1)(d):

• the manner in which the applicant has sold (or as the case may be sold and supplied), displayed, advertised or promoted alcohol.

How do I talk about my concerns?

In your objection you will need to link your concerns to the criteria. For example, you may be concerned that another licensed premises in your street would add to existing noise, vandalism and disturbance. You might want to talk about the current situation (eg, noise levels at night, rubbish etc.) and then your concerns about how this would be affected by a new licensed premises, or the renewal of the licence. If you have a concern about the suitability of the applicant you should have evidence that demonstrates the unsuitability of the applicant.

It is important that you are as specific as possible about the concerns you have. They must also relate to the licensed premises the application is for and its impact on your community, not just general concerns about alcohol use in New Zealand. Your objections will also be more effective if you can back them up with evidence. For example, you could note down the dates and times that there were noise disruptions or take photos of rubbish or damage that has been done associated with the licensed premises.

What is the Object of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012?

The Object of the Act is that "the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol should be undertaken safely and responsibly; and the harm caused by the excessive or inappropriate consumption of alcohol should be minimised."

What is meant by the amenity and good order of the locality?

When considering the impact of a licence application on the amenity and good order of the locality, the committee will have regard to current and possible future noise levels, nuisance and vandalism, and the number of premises for which licences of the same kind are already held. For new applications the committee will also consider the compatibility of the purposes for which land near the premises concerned is used, and the purposes for which those premises will be used if the licence is issued. 

Is commercial competition valid grounds for an objection?

No, the committee must not take into account any prejudicial effect that the issue of the licence may have on any other licensed business.

Are anonymous objections accepted?

No, we need to identify the person objecting so we can establish whether they have a valid objection. Anonymous objections cannot be accepted as valid.

Is my objection confidential?

No, a copy of your objection has to be provided to the applicant, so your identity and the details of your objection are not confidential.

What happens if I make an objection?

A copy of any objections received are given to the applicant, and the Licensing Inspector may discuss them with the applicant. Sometimes the applicant will offer to make changes to appease the objectors, such as reducing hours or changing aspects of the business. If this occurs, objectors will be contacted to see if they agree to the changes and wish to withdraw their objection, or if they continue to object. If no agreement is reached and the application continues to be objected to, it will go to a public hearing.

The District Licensing Committee of three members will hear the matter. The objectors and the applicants will be invited to attend and state their case, and the Committee will then deliberate and decide whether to grant or decline the application, or what conditions should be imposed on the licence.