Be a responsible host
Our Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) requires applicants to submit a Host Responsibility Policy for these types of alcohol licences:
- on-licence A licence that allows the sale or supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises.
- club licence Allows the sale and consumption of liquor to club members, guests of club members, and members of clubs with reciprocal visiting rights.
- special licence.
The policy must address what steps you will take to:
- prevent intoxication (being drunk)
- not serve alcohol to minors
- actively promote and provide substantial food options and low and non-alcoholic beverages
- serve alcohol responsibly or not at all
- arrange safe transport options for customers
- actively manage the premises at all times.
Read the details you need in your policy first, then download our template.
Details to include in your policy
Preventing intoxication
It is essential to notice signs of intoxication early to minimise alcohol-related harm.
Your policy should include what you will do if someone appears to be getting intoxicated, such as:
- promoting alternatives, such as food, low or non-alcohol options and water
- slowing or stopping service of alcohol.
Other details you need to include are:
- how staff will monitor the premises to look for people who are intoxicated or getting intoxicated
- who will deal with intoxicated people (for example, the duty manager).
Not serving alcohol to minors
Your policy needs to explain how you manage your responsibilities to minors (under 18 years old) under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
Your policy should include details on:
- who you will ask for ID (usually anyone who looks under the age of 25)
- only accepting relevant ID (any passport, New Zealand Driver's licence, Kiwi Access Card, Hospitality New Zealand 18+ Card)
- what staff will do if they find a minor trying to buy or get alcohol (for example, get a duty manager to deal with the situation)
- who will ask minors to leave if needed (for example, the duty manager).
Provide and actively promote low and non-alcohol options
You need to have a reasonable range of non-alcoholic and low alcohol refreshments available. You should also actively promote these.
Low-alcohol beverages mean alcohol between 1.15% and 2.5% (inclusive) alcohol by volume.
Your policy should advise how customers will know you have low alcohol options available.
Provide and actively promote substantial food
The act requires you to always have at least three substantial food options available when your business is open and selling alcohol. You should also actively promote food options within the premises.
Restaurants must always have meals available.
Your policy should include how you will:
- promote the availability of substantial food, such as menus that are easy to find and staff recommending food options to customers
- ensure staff are always aware of the food options (menu) available.
Visit Serving food at on-licence and club premises for information on the minimum standards for serving food.
Actively manage the premises and serve alcohol responsibly
Your policy needs to include:
- how you will make sure you have enough managers to cover the hours of business you are open
- how you will manage noise so that it does not disturb neighbours
- when you will empty bottles into outside rubbish bins, such as at times that will not disturb neighbours.
For higher risk premises like taverns and karaoke bars, you also need to include:
- what you will do if someone displays disorderly or offensive behaviour
- how you will check that toilets are clean, safe and free of drug-taking and intoxicated people.
Arrange safe transport options
You need to provide customers with information about, and help with, alternative forms of transport from your business.
Your policy should include how:
- customers can order a taxi if they do not have access to a phone
- you will make staff aware of local transport options available
- staff will provide this information to customers.
Writing your own policy
You must address all of these points in your Host Responsibility Policy.
This is required by the LAP and by the Auckland District Licensing Committee (DLC).