LGOIMA Request Details: LG2411

​​LG 2411 – Council and District Licensing Committee information request- Hospitality Review​ 

I refer to your official information request dated 15/012/2025. 

The information you have requested is below.   

Applications for licences  

By year, how many applications have you received for the following?  

new on-licences 

on-licence renewals 

special licences 

manager’s certificates 

temporary authorities and licences. 

See graph below 

By year, how many applications have you declined for the following?  

new on-licences 

on-licence renewals 

special licences 

manager’s certificates 

temporary authorities and licences.  

See graph below 

 

What is the average processing time for applications for the following?  

new on-licences 

on-licence renewals 

special licences 

manager’s certificates 

temporary authorities and licences.  

See graph below 

 

Do you set your application and annual fees in line with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Fees) Regulations 2013? If not, what application and annual fees do you charge?  

Our fees are in line with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Fees) Regulations 2013 

Decisions by District Licensing Committees   

 

What conditions, including trading hours, does the District Licensing Committee (DLC) in your area place on on-licences and special licences, and with what frequency do they decide to place these conditions?  

On Licence – conditions relating to: 

Non-trading on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and ANZAC Day (from 1.00 p.m.) unless to dine 

Licence Hours 

Promotion of responsible consumption of alcohol 

Provisions of the Act relating to the sale and supply of alcohol to prohibited persons and relevant signage 

Alternative Transport Signage 

Drinking water to be freely available 

Substantial food availability 

Low and non-alcoholic beverages availability 

Designation of premises 

Licenced area as per plan received with the application 

Copy of the licence to be displayed at the principal entrance 

 

Special Licence – conditions relating to: 

Hours of special licence 

Duty manager/Supervisor to be on site (and signage) 

Designation of premises 

Alternative Transport 

Substantial food availability  

Low and non-alcoholic beverages availability 

Promotion of responsible consumption of alcohol 

Provisions of the Act relating to the sale and supply of alcohol to prohibited persons and relevant signage 

No BYO to be brought onto the premises 

Types of glasses/containers allowed to be used  

Drinking water to be freely available 

 

By year, how many DLC hearings have been held regarding the following, what were the reasons for holding those hearings, and what were the outcomes of those hearings? 

new on-licences 

on-licence renewals 

special licences 

manager’s certificates 

temporary authorities and licences.  

Within the last five years there have been two DLC hearings.  Both were for applications for new managers certificates.  Both were declined due to the applicants having limited communication skills in English. 

By year, how many DLC decisions regarding the following are appealed to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA), what were the reasons for those appeals, and what were the outcomes of those appeals?  

new on-licences 

on-licence renewals 

special licences 

manager’s certificates 

temporary authorities and licences.  

No DLC decisions have been appealed to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority. 

Membership of District Licensing Committees 

What is your selection and appointment process for DLC members in your area?   

The selection and appointment of the District Licensing Committee Commissioner and members are undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, including the prescribed skills and competency criteria. 

Appointments are made following an assessment of candidates against these legislative requirements to ensure appropriate knowledge, experience, and suitability for the role. All appointments are formally reported to the Council and are subject to Council approval. 

What training do you offer DLC members?   

District Licensing Committee members are offered training and webinars as they become available through recognised training providers, such as Meeting and Governance Solutions. In addition, Meeting and Governance Solutions have previously provided on-site training for both DLC members and licensing inspectors. The Commissioner has indicated a preference for regular, topic-based training sessions to be held on an ongoing basis in the future.  

What is the average tenure of DLC members in your area? The average tenure of District Licensing Committee members is approximately 1.4 years, reflecting recent appointments, with three members appointed in October 2023 and two members appointed in November 2025. 

Do you have any insights about the quality of the decisions made by DLCs and the criteria they apply for making these decisions?  

The quality of District Licensing Committee decisions is assessed primarily through outcomes. To date, no decisions have been contested or referred to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA), which indicates that decisions are being made appropriately and in accordance with the relevant statutory criteria. 

Inspections and enforcement 

By year, how many licensing inspections are conducted, and what proportion find non-compliance? 

Licensing inspections are conducted annually in accordance with a key performance indicator requiring all licensed premises within the district to be inspected each year. This KPI has been met for the past five years, with the exception of the 2022/2023 year, when one licensed premises was not inspected. 

Data on the proportion of inspections identifying non-compliance is not available. However, where non-compliance is identified during an inspection, it is addressed and rectified either at the time of inspection or shortly thereafter. 

By year, how many on-licences and manager’s certificates been suspended and / or cancelled?  

In the last five years no on-licences or managers certificate have been suspended or cancelled. 

By year, how many controlled purchase operations have been conducted in your area, and what are the general outcomes of these operations? 

No controlled purchase operations have been conducted in our area since 2019. This has been due to ongoing changes in Police and Ministry of Health personnel, along with difficulties in securing suitable volunteers. These issues have been identified, and efforts are underway to recommence controlled purchase operations during the current year. 

By year, how many licensing inspectors have given notice about building or sitework that they believe does not comply with the Building Act 2004?  

This information is not recorded 

How do you establish and maintain relationships with other regulators?  

We have an Alcohol Harm Reductions Group that meets every month.  This includes licensing inspectors, Police, Health and Fire Service representatives from the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Palmerston North, Rangitikei, Whanganui, Tararua and Ruapehu Councils.  

By year, how many complaints do you receive in relation to hospitality businesses, and what are the themes of these complaints?  

2025 – regarding the process for the issuing of a licence within close proximity to the complainant's premises. 

Local Alcohol Policies 

Do you have a Local Alcohol Policy?  No 

Do you have any insights you can share about your Local Alcohol Policy? Does it achieve its objectives? Has it reduced alcohol harm / complaints / offending? Not applicable