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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


Temporary authority

This is a certificate that is issued when a new entity takes over an existing licensed premises and wishes to continue the sale and or supply of liquor until their own licence is issued. The temporary authority can only be applied for if there is a current licence in force for the premises.

There must be a person with a manager's certificate on duty at all times when liquor is being sold or supplied to the public.

A temporary authority cannot be issued to a club.

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General guidelines

Applications for building and planning certificates should be lodged at the same time as the temporary authority application. Where this is not possible they must be lodged within one month after the temporary authority has been granted.

Where applications are lodged at the same time the temporary authority may be issued for a period of three months. If the applications are not lodged within this timeframe the temporary authority will only be issued for a period of one month.

A temporary authority may be renewed where there is a justifiable reason for a delay in the substantive licence application. The fee for any subsequent temporary authority applications is $134.93 (inclusive GST) and is non-refundable.

The processing timeframe can be more than 25 working days, so please make sure to lodge your application for a further temporary authority in plenty of time.


Apply for a Temporary Authority

You need to provide all the required information when you lodge the application to avoid a delay in processing.

Step 1 Complete the Liquor licensing temporary authority application form (217k 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 all required supporting information:
  • the fee of $134.93
  • the completed and signed application form
  • copy of underlying licence (must not be expired)
  • company - Certificate of Incorporation (if applicant is a company)
  • copy of the sale and purchase agreement
  • a letter of owner's consent from the landlord authorizing the applicant to sell liquor
  • copy of the lease agreement
  • copy of the applicant's Liquor Planning Certificate (if available)
  • copy of the applicant's Building Code Certificate (if available)
  • two copies of the application form and all supporting documents.
Step 3 Send your application with the fee to:

The Secretary
District Licensing Agency
Auckland Council
Private Bag 92300
Victoria Street West
Auckland 1142.


Building and planning certificates

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:

  • deposit fee is $190 (inclusive GST)
  • hourly charge out rates apply
    • administration = $87 per hour
    • planner = $123 per hour
    • senior planner = $138 per hour
    • planning team leader = $143 per hour
  • 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 Council
    Private Bag 92300
    Victoria Street West
    Auckland 1142.

Contact us for more information.

Building Code Certificate

This compliance certificate is required to ensure that the premises comply with the Building Code

  • deposit fee is $190 inclusive GST (plus $112 for each additional inspection required)
  • takes approximately 20 working days to process.

To apply

  1. Download and complete the Building code certificate application form (121k PDF)
  2. Send your application, the fee and all required information (as stated in the application form) to
    Auckland Council
    Private Bag 92300
    Victoria Street West
    Auckland 1142.

Contact us for more information.

Updated July 2011