Alcohol Licensing Agencies

District Licensing Committee (DLC)

• is located at Rotorua Lakes Council and is part of the functions Council performs
• receives and reviews all alcohol licence applications
• considers and determines all licence applications including new, renewal and variation applications; for on-licences, off-licences, club licences, special licences, temporary authorities and managers' certificates
• Any appeals or enforcement actions are dealt with by the Alcohol Regulatory & Licensing Authority (ARLA)

Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA)

The Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA), is the national body for alcohol licensing, and consists of a:

• District Court Judge (who is the Chairperson);
• and one other member.

They are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Minister.

The Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA):

• determines applications which have been opposed or referred to it by a DLC
• considers and determines applications made by the Police or Inspector to vary, suspend or cancel alcohol licenses and manager's certificates
• determines appeals that have been made against a DLC decision
• gives direction on various matters to all DLC's.

Reporting agencies

New Zealand Police

The Police Constable in charge of alcohol related matters receives a copy of all alcohol applications. They will investigate whether the applicant has any convictions, and will enquire into the application. They monitor licensed premises to ensure the premises comply with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. The Police may file a report to the DLC on any application.

Licensing Inspectors

The Chief Executive (CE) for Council appoints Inspectors. Inspectors also enquire into all applications. They monitor licensed premises for compliance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. The inspector must file a report on every application to the DLC to determine.

Medical Officer of Health

The Medical Officer of Health (MOoH) also enquires into applications for any new, renewal, variation or special licence. The MOoH may also file a report to the DLC on these applications.

Host Responsibility

Host responsibility is an integral part of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol. Applicants for alcohol licences and managers' certificates must be able to show the DLC that they will demonstrate host responsibility.

The key elements of host responsibility are:

• serving alcohol responsibly
• providing and actively promoting low-alcohol and non-alcoholic alternatives
• providing and actively promoting appropriate food
• identifying and responsibly dealing with underage and intoxicated people
• arranging safe transport options
• ensuring that management and staff are trained in host responsibility practices and keep updating their skills
• having and keeping to an in-house policy on host responsibility.