Objecting to an Alcohol Licence Application
When an entity applies for an alcohol licence they are required to publicly advertise their intentions and to attach a notice to the premises that is visible from the street.
Public notices are printed in the Taumarunui Bulletin or the Ruapehu Bulletin, dependent on the premises location, and also appear on Council’s Facebook page and website. For current Public Notices click here.
Objection period
Once the public notice has been published online there is a 25-working day period in which objections can be lodged.
For the purposes of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (the ‘Act’) a working means:
A day of the week other than a Saturday, a Sunday, Waitangi Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac day, the Sovereign’s Birthday, and Labour day (and if Waitangi Day or Anzac day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday) and any day between and inclusive of 20 December and 15 January the following year.
Any person may object to an application for the grant of a licence, whether as an individual or as a representative of a group or an organisation.
However, a trade competitor may only object to an application if the trade competitor is directly affected by the application in a way that does not relate to trade competition or the effects of trade competition. A person may not object to an application if the person receives, or is likely to receive, direct or indirect help from a trade competitor to object to the application.
What can you object to?
The matters that can be objected to are prescribed in Section 105 of the Act. However, if the application is for an existing premises, and the licence type and conditions are to remain the same, an objection can only relate to the suitability of the applicant.
How do you object?
Objections against a licence application, new or renewal, must be made in writing (Click here for Objection Form) and submit to the District Licensing Committee (DLC) within 25 working days of the application's first online publication.
Objections can be lodged by:
- Email: [email protected]
- Post: Licensing Administrator, Ruapehu District Council, Private Bag 1001, Taumarunui 3920
- Hand Delivery: 59-63 Huia Street, Taumarunui OR 37 Ayr Street, Ohakune OR 88 Seddon Street, Raetihi
What happens next?
When your objection has been received we will:
- Send an acknowledgement of the objection.
- Send a copy of the objection to the applicant.
- Submit the objection to the DLC for their consideration.
If the DLC believes the objection meets the criteria for a valid objection, a hearing will be scheduled and all parties will be notified. it is important that you state whether or not you wish to be heard at a hearing in support of your objection. While you are not required to attend a hearing, it is expected that you will appear to speak in support of your opposition. If you do not attend, the DLC will not be able to seek clarification from you and will therefore be limited as to the weight it can give your objection.
For help and advice on objecting to an alcohol licence, the following websites provide guidance and resources. You can also contact the Licensing Team on 07 895 8188 or 06 385 8364.
Alcohol.co.nz
Alcohol Resources — Objecting to a licence
Community Law
Alcohol Licensing - Community Law
Alcohol Healthwatch
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Alcohol | Te Whatu Ora | Health Promotion (hpa.org.nz)
Alcohol.co.nz
