Have Your Say - Alcohol Licence Applications

You can also find them:

• In your local paper
• Displayed in an easily read part of the applicant's premises.

Objecting to an alcohol licence

Anyone can object to any type of alcohol licence application. There are exceptions for trade competitors (such as other people holding alcohol licenses).

Grounds for objecting

If you want to object an application, your objection will need to link to the licence criteria. These criteria are set out in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

How to object

You have 25 working days from the publishing date of the application notice to make your objection.

To make your objection:

1. Download and complete the application form below
2. Include your full name, email address and contact phone number
3. Indicate if you want to be heard at the public hearing.

If you can't complete the digital form, you can also notify Council by emailing to compliance.admin@rotorualc.nz, in person at the Civic Centre, or by mail.

A copy of your objection, including your name, will be given to the applicant and made public through the hearing process.

What happens after you object

Once Council receives your application, they will acknowledge it and send a copy to the applicant.

The objection becomes part of the licence application documents, which will be presented to the District Licensing Community (DLC) at the public hearing.

Attending a public hearing

The purpose of a hearing is to assist the DLC with their decision making process. A public hearing is a legal process, which involves a panel, and a formal discussion about the application. You can choose to attend or not. If you don't attend, the DLC can't give your objection as much weight as if you do attend and speak.

You can in advance:

• Request to attend remotely, if it's reasonable
• Submit your evidence with other language options such as te reo Māori.

During a hearing you won't be cross-examined, however the DLC may ask questions about your objection.