Objecting to an Alcohol Licence Application
Objecting to Applications
Members of the public have an opportunity to object to an application for an alcohol licence. Your objection must be in writing and must be sent to the Hauraki District Licensing Committee within 25 working days after the date of the first public notice.
View the Public Notices of Alcohol Licence Applications
Who can object?
Anyone can object to an alcohol licence application, variation of licence conditions, renewal of licence application, or special licence, whether as an individual or representative of a group or organization. There are narrow exceptions for trade competitors and their surrogates.
What you can object about?
Your objections must relate to matters listed in Section 105 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. You must make specific reference to these matters in your letter for your objection to be valid.
Section 105, Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
The Act defines good order and amenity as 'pleasant and agreeable'. Section 106 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 can also help us understand what good order and amenity covers.
Section 106, Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
What to include in your objection
Your letter of objection must include:
- the name and location of the proposed premises,
- your reasons for objecting, based on section 105 or 106 criteria,
- your name, address and contact details, including email address. (Note: email is the preferred mode for communication).
Who will know about your objection?
We must send a copy of all objections to the alcohol licence applicant. Applicants are allowed to know the basis of any objections so they can decide whether to change their proposal, continue with their application or prepare a response to the objections.
The reporting officers (Licensing Inspector, Police, and Medical Officer of Health officers) will also be provided a copy of all objections.
Objections or objector contact details will not be published or advertised. However, if you wish to appear and be heard at a public hearing then your name and the nature of your objections do become a matter of public record.
What happens to your objection
When we receive your objection we will send you an acknowledgement. Your objection will also be sent to the alcohol licence applicant.
We assess your objection to make sure your grounds for objection meet the criteria under section 105 or 106.
Once all statutory reporting agencies have reported, the licence application file will be forwarded to the District Licensing Committee for a decision, along with all objections received. The application and objections will then be considered at a public hearing.
When a hearing date has been set we will advise all those involved the hearing date, time, location and procedure for disclosure of evidence and submissions.
Where to send your objection
Send your objection to the Secretary of the Hauraki District Licensing Committee by post or email.
Post: PO Box 17, Paeroa 3640
Email:info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz
Hauraki DLC hearing procedures
At the DLC public hearing, the DLC Chair will explain the order of proceedings.
The licence applicant or the applicant's agent begins proceedings by stating their case, giving evidence and calling witnesses in support of the application. The applicant should come prepared with a brief of evidence outlining their case. This brief of evidence should contain a summary as to why the application should be approved. The Police, Medical Officer of Health and Inspector follow with their matters of opposition or concern. Finally, the objectors have their say. All parties are given the opportunity to ask the witnesses questions.
Once the hearing is complete, the Hauraki DLC may reserve its decision. This means it retires to consider the material presented at the hearing and review the application. It may take up to 20 working days for a decision to be issued.