Night patrol
A special licence authorises the sale or supply of alcohol on a given premises or conveyance for the duration of a specific occasion or event.
The licence is subject to the provisions of the Sale of Liquor Act and conditions of the District Licensing Agency (DLA).
Potential events eligible for a special licence include a sporting event, wine tasting, bus trip, a party on hired premises where alcohol is being sold or supplied, or an event where tickets are being sold.
Application Process
A special licence application takes at least 25 working days to process. We recommend you submit your application well in advance of your event.
You can facilitate your application by providing complete and accurate information.
The District Licensing Agency (DLA) forwards copies of your application to the Police and Licensing Inspector before making its licensing decision. If there are any objections to your application, it may require a DLA hearing. This will delay a decision on your application.
In addition to The Sale of Liquor Act, special licences must also comply with any Act the Council deems relevant to the event such as the Building Code, Resource Management Act, or Food Hygiene Regulations 1974.
- Special Licence Application (for premises) (72Kb PDF)
- Special Licence Application (for conveyance) (531Kb PDF)
Guidelines for Special Events (Premises)
Please ensure dates and events requested for special licences are for legitimate events and are not just an extension of normal trading hours. Every application must include supporting material relevant to the events and times applied for.
The guidelines for special licences aim to clarify the process. Special licence applicants must demonstrate:
- how the event is different from normal trading activity and why it must be held outside normal trading hours
- what is the nature of the event and if it’s linked to a significant city-wide or international event
- how you are promoting the event (flyers, radio advertising, newspaper, etc)
- if the event is private, you will need to provide a guest list and / or invitations clearly identifying the guests.
If you operate a membership or VIP card system, you will need to produce evidence of a database record showing member names and addresses.
Application Requirements (Premises)
In addition to completing the correct form, you will need to provide:
- two copies of the application and all documentation
- a $63 fee
- an A4 scale plan of the interior of the premises showing the areas where liquor will be sold or supplied
- a written statement from the building owner giving consent to the applicant for the sale or supply of liquor on the premises and that the premises is approved under the Building Act for the proposed use
- documentation to support the guidelines for special licences
- a list of food, non-alcohol and low-alcohol beverages to be provided
- a copy of each Manager's Certificate for those nominated for the event (if applicable)
- for a private event: a copy of the invitation, and a list of invited guests
- for a public event: a copy of the ticket, and any promotional material
Application Requirements (Conveyance)
In addition to completing the correct form, you will need to provide the following:
- two copies of the application and all documentation
- a $63 fee
- a map or detailed account of the planned route to be travelled, including stop-off points
- a list of food, non-alcohol and low-alcohol beverages to be provided
- a written statement from the owner of the conveyance consenting to the sale or supply of liquor on the conveyance
- documentation to support the guidelines for special licences
Department Details:
Building Consents & Licensing Services
