Liquor Licence Glossary

Licensee/applicant:

The name of the legal entity receiving the proceeds from the sale of liquor, e.g. an individual, partnership or company. Consider carefully prior to applying - if your licence is issued in the name of an individual and you later form a company you must re-apply for a new licence in the company name.

Premises name:

The trading name of the business, e.g. "Fluffy Duck Bar and Grill".

Style of licence:

On-licences and off-licences can be of different styles and this will be determined by the nature of the business activity. An on-licence could be, for example, a restaurant style, function style, or tavern style licence. An off-licence could be, for example, a grocery or supermarket style, general style, or mail-order style licence. Different licence conditions will apply according to the style of licence applied for.

Days and hours:

The days and hours you wish to apply for. These should indicate the entire time you intend to operate your business. You are not required to be open during these days and hours but you cannot operate outside them. Again this matter affects the style of licence you should be applying for.  Certain restrictions relating to days and hours apply to different types of businesses and to different areas in which the premises are sited. Refer to the Sale of Liquor Policy (35kb pdf) for further information.

Sale of liquor:

The underlying principle of the Sale of Liquor act states that  the sale of liquor to the public or any member of the public requires a licence.

Designated area:

All licensed areas are either "undesignated" or designated as "restricted" or "supervised". This provides a form of control as to whether minors can be on your premises. Some types of licences must have a designation. Refer to the Sale of Liquor Act, sections 155 to 164 for a more detailed explanation.

District Licensing Agency (DLA):

The local licensing Agency that administers liquor licences for the geographical area under the jurisdiction of the local territorial authority. The DLA is an 'agent' of the Liquor Licensing Authority.

Liquor Licensing Authority (LLA):

The governing body, based in Wellington, which reports to the Minister of Justice.  the LLA is responsible for the control of the Sale of Liquor Act.  All DLA's report to the LLA.  Liquor Licence applications which have been opposed, or objected to, are determined by the LLA.