Objecting To An Alcohol Licence Application
This page contains information about how to object to the granting or renewal of an Alcohol Licence in the Tararua District.
We now publish notification of licence applications on our website. These can be found in the public notices section. Notice of an application will also be posted in a prominent place on the premises of the business applying for the licence.
Who Can Object?
New legislation introduced by parliament in 2023 (Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Community Participation) Amendment Act 2023) makes it easier for communities to have a say in alcohol licensing decisions. Previously, only those with a greater interest were able to object, but now any individual or group can object to an application for a licence, licence renewal, variation of licence conditions, or special licence. There is a narrow exception for trade competitors and their surrogates.
How To File Your Objection
Your objection must be filed with the District Licensing Committee (DLC) within 25 working days after the public notice is first published. The full postal address of the DLC will be included in the notification.
The Act defines working days as: weekdays excluding public holidays, and excluding the period between 20 December to 15 January. Also excluded are Mondays where a public holiday happens to fall on a weekend.
Your objection must be made in writing and include your full name, address and contact telephone number. You may object only in relation to matters that are able to be considered when granting a licence - the licence criteria. Please use the alcohol licence objection form below:
Application Form | Objection to an Alcohol Licence Application (PDF file, 326.4 KB)
You should clearly set out the reasons for your objection and state whether or not you wish to appear at any hearing. You can make an individual objection or participate in a written group submission, nominating one or two representatives to appear and present the objection at the hearing.
Once your objection is received, it becomes a public document and will be made available to the person applying for the licence and other people or organisations outside the DLC.
Grounds For Objecting To An Alcohol Licence
Your objection needs to be based on the criteria in the Act. Look to the following parts of the Act to see which grounds apply:
- sections 102 and 105 for applications for new licences
- section 120 for applications to vary licence conditions
- sections 128 and 131 for applications for renewal
- sections 140 and 142 for applications for special licences.
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 | New Zealand Legislation
What Happens Next?
When the committee receives your objection, they'll contact you to acknowledge receiving it, and in addition, send the applicant a copy of your objection.
If the committee believes the objection meets the criteria specified in the Act, they'll notify all involved parties of a date and time for a hearing. You can choose not to attend the hearing, but your objection will be stronger if you attend and speak in support of your submission.
If the committee decides an objection does not meet the criteria in the Act, it may make a decision based on information and reports provided in the application rather than hold a hearing.