An on licence authorises the sale or supply of alcohol for consumption on a premises (such as a bar or café) or conveyance (such as a train, boat or bus). The licence is subject to the provisions of the Sale of Liquor Act.
Potential applicants for an on licence include:
- Premises - bar, pub, tavern, club, hotel, restaurant, café.
- Conveyances - bus, boat, plane, train, car.
- Endorsed - BYO.
Application Process
It takes about five or six weeks to process an on licence application.
You can facilitate your application by providing complete and accurate information.
The District Licensing Agency (DLA) forwards copies of your application to various reporting authorities before making its licensing decision. If there has been an objection to your application, it will be handled by the national Liquor Licensing Authority (LLA). Objections will delay the decision on your application.
If you are granted an on licence, you must apply for a renewal at least 20 working days before the licence expires.
- On-Licence Application (for premises) (74Kb PDF)
- On-Licence Application (for conveyance) (1.3Mb PDF)
- Renewal of Licence Application (On, Off or Club Licence) (79Kb PDF)
Application Requirements (Premises)
In addition to completing the correct form, you will need to provide the following:
- three copies of the application and all documentation
- a $776 fee, or $132 for BYO endorsed
You will also need to show:
Proof of business - a certificate of incorporation or a partnership agreement.
Proof of ownership / consent - Certificates of Title are available from Land Information NZ, and you will need a written statement from the building owner consenting to liquor sales.
Building and planning documentation - a photo or drawing of the exterior premises, a street map showing the location in Wellington, an A4 scale plan of the interior showing areas used for sale of liquor, areas restricted or supervised, and all principal entrances.
Host responsibility - a proposed policy and implementation plan.
Menus – a proposed list of food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
Town planning / building certificates (for the Sale of Liquor Act 1989) - application forms for these certificates are available from Building Consents and Licensing Services at the main Council building 101 Wakefield Street. Documentation and fees are required.
Signatures – of either the single applicant, all members of a partnership, the principal director of the company or the applicants’ solicitor.
Public notice – You must place a notice in the Dominion Post or Wellingtonian newspaper within 20 working days after you submit your application. It must be published twice with not less than five days and not more than 10 days between the two dates of publication. You must also display a visible notice on the site of the proposed premises.
Application Requirements (Conveyance)
In addition to completing the correct form, you will need to provide the following:
- three copies of the application and all documentation
- a $776 fee
You will also need to show:
Proof of business – a certificate of incorporation or a partnership agreement.
Current certificate of fitness – either Safe Ship Management, Airworthiness, Train Inspection, or vehicle WOF and Registration.
Proof of consent – written statement from the owner consenting to liquor sales.
Conveyance and planning documentation - a photo or drawing of the exterior conveyance, a street map showing the location of the conveyance’s home base, an A4 scale plan of the interior showing areas used for sale of liquor, areas restricted or supervised, and all principal entrances.
Host responsibility - a proposed policy and implementation plan.
Menus – a proposed list of food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
Signatures – by either the single applicant, all members of a partnership, the principal director of the company or the applicants’ solicitor.
Public notice – You must place a notice in the Dominion Post or Wellingtonian newspaper within 20 working days after you submit your application. It must be published twice with not less than five days and not more than 10 days between the two dates of publication. You must also display a visible notice on the proposed conveyance.
Related Links
- Host Responsibility Resources
- Land Information NZ website (for Certificate of Title)
- Town Planning & Building Certificates Application (31Kb PDF)
Department Details:
Building Consents & Licensing Services
