New Zealand's liquor licensing policy and enforcement is driven by The Sale of Liquor Act 1989.
The philosophy behind the Act is not to restrict the sale and supply of liquor, but rather to promote safe and legal drinking:
" ... to establish a reasonable system of control over the sale and supply of liquor to the public with the aim of contributing to the reduction of liquor abuse, so far as that can be achieved by legislative means."
Licensees and managers must ensure their staff understands the provisions of the legislation and that they perform their duties accordingly.
Licensing Decisions
Wellington City Council makes most decisions about local liquor licences in its capacity as a District Licensing Agency (DLA) and in accordance with the Act. The DLA or Police may also refer licensing issues to the national Liquor Licensing Authority (LLA).
All applications for licences and certificates are reviewed by local agencies who gather and assess information about the premises and the suitability of the applicant before submitting a report to the DLA.
Related Links
- Liquor Control Bylaw
- Sale of Liquor Act 1989 - New Zealand Legislation website
- 2008/09 DLA Annual Report (787Kb PDF)
- 2007/08 DLA Annual Report (517Kb PDF)
Department Details:
Building Consents & Licensing Services
