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Liquor licences

Liquor licences | What type of licence is needed? | On licence | Off licence | Club licence | Special licence | Temporary authority | Manager's certificate | Renew your licence | Providing food


On licence

This licence authorises the holder to sell or supply liquor on premises or conveyances. Liquor cannot be removed from these premises or conveyances. There must be a person with a current manager's certificate on duty at all times when liquor is being sold or supplied to the public.

Apply for an on licence for a premises

General guidelines

  • the fee for an on licence is $689.78 plus GST.
  • the fee for a BYO on licence is $117.33 plus GST. (No manager's certificate required)
  • fees must be paid at the time of application and are not refundable
  • the processing timeframe is 30 working days provided that all the relevant information is included in the application
  • before you apply for your on licence you will need to obtain building and planning certificates
  • once your application has been accepted for lodgement, two public notices must be placed in the newspaper within 20 working days
  • this licence is initially renewable after one year then every three years after that.

To apply

Step 1 Download and complete the On licence application form (169k PDF)

As part of the transition to the new Auckland Council, some regulatory forms are being standardised. Prior to 1 November 2010 this form can be used at any local government organisation in the Auckland area.

Step 2 Include three copies of ALL the following documents:
  • application form, signed and dated
  • copies of building and planning certificates once they have been issued by Auckland City
  • a scale plan drawn to draughtsman standards with dimensions and total area showing:
    1. the part of the premises to be used for the sale of liquor
    2. the main entrance
    3. any part to be designated 'supervised' or 'restricted' as defined in the Sale of Liquor Act
  • owner's consent if you do not own the premises
  • a map showing the location of the premises (eg a photocopy of a street map with your site marked)
  • exterior photograph or artist's impression showing the main entrance
  • a sample of your menu
  • in the case of a company, provide the certificate of incorporation and brief details of directors and shareholders (names, addresses and dates of birth)
  • a brief written submission describing the way your business will operate, eg promoting mainly food or bar facilities, who the certified manager will be and a description of the business background of those persons involved
  • host responsibility policy
  • legal description or certificate of title of the premises. You can find these details in the Property and rates information search and include them with your written submission.
Step 3 Send your application, including the fee, to District Licensing Agency, Auckland City, Private Bag 92516, Wellesley Street, Auckland.

Please make cheques payable to Auckland City.

Next Once your application has been accepted for lodgement, we will send you an acknowledgement letter including a guide to placing the public notice.

When the notices have been published, you need to send a copy of each notice from the newspaper (preferably the full page) showing the date and name of the paper to District Licensing Agency, Auckland City, Private Bag 92516, Wellesley Street, Auckland

During the 30 days it take to process your application, we will:

  1. request a police report
  2. a liquor licensing inspector will contact you for an interview before completing their report. The inspector will probably want to visit your premises
  3. your application must be held in the agency office for a minimum of 10 working days after the publication of the first public notice to allow for objections from interested parties
  4. if objections are received copies will be sent to you by this office
  5. a copy of the inspectors and police report will be posted to you.

PDF icon To view PDFs download Acrobat Reader from the Adobe website. Further help on how to view PDFs.


Apply for an on licence for a conveyance

This licence is required if you plan on selling or supplying liquor in a conveyance, for example limousine, party bus, ferry, cruise vessel, etc.

General guidelines

  • the fee for an on licence for a conveyance is $689.78 plus GST. This must be paid at the time of application and is not refundable
  • the processing timeframe is 30 working days
  • you will need to supply with your application (as relevant) a current
    • Safe Ship Management Certificate (sea vessels)
    • Airworthiness Certificate (aeroplanes)
    • Warrant of Fitness (vehicles)
  • if you do not own the conveyance, the owner's consent must be included with the application
  • a layout plan of the conveyance must be included with the application
  • once your application has been accepted for lodgement, two public notices must be placed in the newspaper within 20 working days
  • this licence is initially renewable after one year then every three years after that

To apply

Contact us for information and for an application pack for an on licence for a conveyance. The application pack contains


Building and planning certificates (for premises only)

Note: The planning and building certificates must be granted before you apply for you liquor licence.

Planning Certificate under the Resource Management Act 1991

The planning certificate, when granted, confirms that the proposed use of the premises meets requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991.

  • fee is $320 plus GST
  • takes approximately 20 working days to process
  • applications should include all supporting information and documentation, particularly planned usage of floor areas for ALL buildings on site, proposed or existing opening hours and parking requirements for each activity on site. Details of what's required are included on the application form.

To apply

  1. Download and complete the Planning Certificate application form (55k PDF)
  2. Send your application, the fee and all required information (as stated in the application form) to
    Auckland City Council
    Private Bag 92516
    Wellesley Street
    Auckland Central

Contact us for more information.

Building Code Certificate

This certificate, when granted, confirms that the proposed use of the premises meets requirements of the Building Code.

  • fee is $284.44 plus GST (plus $71.11 for each additional inspection required)
  • takes approximately 20 working days to process

To apply

  1. Download and complete the Building code certificate application form (429k PDF)
  2. Send your application, the fee and all required information (as stated in the application form) to
    Auckland City Council
    Private Bag 92516
    Wellesley Street
    Auckland Central

Contact us for more information.


Update licensed area shown on existing licence

You can apply to extend the area where you sell or supply alcohol or allow the consumption of alcohol at any time.

To apply, please send the following information:

  • a letter outlining the proposed changes
  • a diagram showing the intended change.

If major construction has taken place ie walls have been removed, then a new building code certificate maybe required

Send your application to:

District Licensing Agency
Auckland City Council
Private Bag 92-516
Wellesley Street
Auckland 1141

If you are renewing your liquor licence you can add these details to the renewal form.

Updated August 2010