Manager's Certificates

When alcohol is being sold or supplied to the public on licensed premises, there must be a manager who holds a Manager’s Certificate on duty at all times. If you are the manager on duty, it is your responsibility to make sure the premises meets its responsibilities under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and the conditions of the alcohol licence.

New Certificate

If you meet the criteria, you can apply for a manager's certificate using the application form and steps on this page. To apply for a manager’s certificate, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You are at least 20 years of age.
  • You are working or intend to work in a licensed premises within the Manawatu District.
  • You hold the Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ).

Licence Controller Qualification

This qualification is awarded to people who have completed the following NZ Qualifications Authority (NZQA) unit standards:

  • 4646 - Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
  • 16705 - Host Responsibility

This qualification must be obtained through a qualified Alcohol Licensing Training Provider (PDF file, 441.7 KB).

Renew Your Certificate

It is important that you renew your manager's certificate before it expires. If you don't renew it in time, you will have to apply for a new manager's certificate.

New Requirements

Club Managers

Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, existing club manager certificates are phased out and replaced by manager certificates.

A transition period applies when a club manager certificate comes up for renewal. The applicant may be issued with a renewal for 12 months or for 3 years if the manager meets the same criteria as other managers.

This means that holders of club manager certificates need to complete the Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) before they apply to renew their certificate, or they will only be able to renew for 12 months.

Managers

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 is a major change to the way we licence and control the sale and supply of alcohol. Managers need to understand these new requirements.

Managers who hold a LCQ issued under the Sale of Liquor Amendment Act 1999 will need to pass a bridging test. If you have completed this test your certificate may be renewed for 3 years. If you haven’t completed a bridging test, your certificate can only be renewed for 12 months.

The bridging test is available at: Service IQ.

When applying for a manager’s certificate, please ensure that you have provided all the information required as listed under Checklist for Managers Applications (PDF file, 401.7 KB).

All applications are vetted by the NZ Police. If you have been convicted of any offence, please refer to The Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 (PDF file, 18.1 KB) to see if this applies to you. More information is also available on the Ministry of Justice Website.

A certified Manager must be on duty at all times when alcohol is being sold or supplied to the public except in the case of most special licences and endorsed licences (i.e. BYO)

If the certified manager is ill, absent, dismissed or resigned, a licensee can be formally appointed as a temporary or acting manager. They must give notice of this appointment to the following parties:

  • Manawatu District Licensing Committee
  • NZ Police

Click here for application forms, click here for fees.