Deadline for Special Liquor Licence Processing Requirement
Organisers of events in Ruapehu requiring a special liquor licence are being advised to ensure they allow the statutory
20 working days for its processing.
Ruapehu District Council (RDC) Group Manager Community Services, Margaret Hawthorne, said that from the 18th June the
minimum requirement of 20 working days for processing special liquor licence applications will be strictly enforced.
“The only exception will be special licences for funerals,” she said.
“Commercial hospitality providers seem to have adapted well to the new regime brought in with the enactment of the new
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act.”
“However we are getting a number of special liquor licence applications from volunteer groups who are involved in annual
or one-off events who have not allowed the statutory 20 working days for processing.”
“Many of these late special liquor licence requests are for long running events that are held every year where the
promoters know the event is going to happen and should have plenty of time to get their application in.”
Mrs Hawthorne said that Ruapehu’s new District Licencing Committee (DLC) has decided to allow a six month grace period
from the date of its inception on 18th December last year to allow all event organisers to get fully conversant with the
new process and timeframes.”
“As such up until the 18th June 2014 the DLC is providing some flexibility on the 20 working day rule on a case-by-case
basis.”
“After this point however any late special liquor licence applications that have not allowed for the full 20 working day
processing requirement will be stopped at the counter.”
Mrs Hawthorne added that event holders should note that the 20 working day requirement is not some arbitrary figure.
“The processing of an application involves a number of different agencies.”
“This includes Council, the DLC, the Police and District Health Boards,” she said.
“Any shortening of the available working days for processing the application cascades down the line putting pressure on
all subsequent agencies involved.”
“RDC is happy to do all it can within the new legislative framework to assist people hold successful events in Ruapehu.”
“Anyone wanting assistance with their special liquor licence application or Ruapehu’s new Local Alcohol Policy should
call either Sarah Dunn or Tracy Gibson via their local RDC office.”
PETER TILL
CHIEF EXECUTIVE