Object to an alcohol licence or complain about a licensed business

Objections for alcohol licence applications

When a business applies for an on-licence, off-licence or club licence – new or renewed – it is required to publicly notify it. You can check public notices at alcoholnotices.co.nz or sign up for email alerts.

You have 25 working days from the date a public notice is posted online to lodge an objection.

Anyone can object except trade competitors.

What you can object about

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (section 105) outlines the only grounds for objecting to the application for a new, or renewed, alcohol licence.

New licence – existing premises (same conditions)

You can only object to the suitability of the applicant.

All other new alcohol licence applications

You can object about:

• whether it meets the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
• suitability of the applicant
• relevant Local Alcohol Policy
• days and hours when alcohol will be sold
• design and layout of premises
• other goods and services offered at the premises (excluding food and alcohol).

You can also object about whether:

• systems, staff and training are in place to meet legal requirements
• effects on amenity and good order (for example: noise, nuisance, vandalism, nearby sensitive sites like schools or the amount of licensed premises in the neighbourhood)
• whether the area is already negatively affected by existing licences.

Renewal alcohol licence applications

You can object about:

• suitability of the applicant
• relevant local alcohol policy
• days and hours when alcohol will be sold
• design and layout of the premises
• other goods and services offered at the premises (excluding food and alcohol).
• the manner the applicant has operated their business
• whether refusing renewal would improve amenity and good order (more than minor). This includes consideration of noise, nuisance, vandalism and sensitive sites like schools.

​How to make an objection

You must:

• submit your objection in writing within 25 working days of the public notice appearing
• state your reasons (include valid grounds)
• include your name, address, email and phone number.

What happens next

We will:

• acknowledge your objection
• send a copy of your objection to the applicant
• submit your objection to the Auckland District Licensing Committee (DLC).

Hearings

If accepted, the DLC may hold a hearing. Attendance is optional, but your absence may reduce the possible success of your objection.

Organisation representatives must prove they are authorised to speak and act on the organisation's behalf.

Your contact details may be shared with the applicant if there is an appeal. This is because they are required to serve you with a copy of their appeal.

Support and advice on hearings is available from Health Promotion Agency and Community Law Centres.

How to make a complaint about an existing licensed premises

To make a complaint about an existing licensed business or the terms of a licence, contact us and provide specific details regarding of your concerns.

You need to let us know:

• what you observed that made you concerned
• the date and time of the occurrence
• name and address of the business.