Apply for Special Licence

You'll need a special licence if you're holding an event:

  • where alcohol is supplied for sale (this includes koha payments)
  • where tickets are sold that include the supply of alcohol in the ticket price
  • in a licensed premises outside of the normal licenced hours
  • at a Club where people who are not Club Members are able to purchase alcohol.

Applications must be submitted at least 20 working days before your first event. You can apply either online or in person.

Applying for more than one event

You can apply for more than one event on an application, as long as they are of a similar nature, ie family events, work functions, sporting events, fundraising events etc.

You can apply for a series of events such as regular meetings, theatre productions, or sporting events, by selecting the Series of Events option on the form (for a period of no more than six months).

A run of similar but unrelated events, such as family events, does not count as a Series of Events. Please select the One-off Event option.

You may only apply for one large event (more than 400 people) per application.

How much will it cost?

The fee for a Special Licence application depends on which class your event (or events) falls into. 

Class Description Fee
Class 1 1 large event
More than 3 medium events
More than 12 small events		 $575.00
Class 2

1 to 3 medium events
3 to 12 small events

 $207.00
Class 3 1 or 2 small events $63.25

Special Licence definitions:

  • Large Event - patronage will be more than 400 people
  • Medium Event - patronage will be between 100 to 400 people
  • Small Event - patronage will be fewer than 100 people

Online

Step 1.Have your information and documents ready

This includes:

  • the Responsible Person’s full name, date of birth and an electronic copy of their photo ID (eg drivers licence)
  • electronic copies of certificate(s) held by the Responsible Person
  • Manager’s Certificate number(s) for all persons who will be managing the event
  • electronic copies of all Manager’s Certificates, if not issued by Horowhenua District Council
  • an electronic copy of a written statement from the owner of the premises giving you approval to sell and supply alcohol on the premises. This must also include confirmation that the building is safe and suitable for the event.
  • an electronic copy of an A4 plan showing the principal entrance, fire exits, evacuation assembly points, the position where alcohol will be sold or supplied and area where it will be consumed, kitchen, toilets, smoking area, security and access to free drinking water.
  • an electronic copy of an aerial map showing the exact location of the premises
  • an electronic copy of food and alcohol menus
  • an electronic copy of the tickets, if you're using them
  • electronic evidence of promotional material (flyers, radio and newspaper advertising, posters) for public events
  • an electronic copy of an Alcohol Management Plan for large events (greater than 400 people) - visit resources.alcohol.org.nz

Step 2.Apply and pay online

Ensure you have your credit or debit card, or internet banking details for POLi, so you can pay and finalise your application online.

Onlline Application for Special Licence (Form 6).

In Person

Step 1.Download and complete the application form

Application for Special Licence (Print Version)(PDF, 307KB)

Step 2.Bring in your application form and relevant documents

These include:

  • Responsible Person’s full name, date of birth and copy of photo ID (eg drivers licence)
  • Copies of certificate(s) held by the Responsible Person
  • Manager’s Certificate number for all persons who will be managing the event
  • Copies of all Manager’s Certificates if not issued by Horowhenua District Council
  • A written statement from the owner of the premises giving you approval to sell and supply alcohol on the premises. This must also include confirmation that the building is safe and suitable for the event
  • An A4 plan showing the principal entrance, fire exits, evacuation assembly points, position where alcohol will be sold or supplied and the area where it will be consumed, kitchen, toilets, smoking area, security and access to free drinking water.
  • An aerial map showing the exact location of the premises
  • A copy of food and alcohol menus
  • A copy of the tickets, if you're using them
  • Evidence of promotional material (flyers, radio and newspaper advertising, posters) for public events
  • An Alcohol Management Plan for large events (greater than 400 people) - visit resources.alcohol.org.nz

You can pay by cash or EFTPOS at any Horowhenua District Council office.

Step 3.Visit your nearest Council Office

Pop into your nearest Council office:

  • Levin (Main Office), 126 Oxford Street Levin, open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (except Wednesdays) and 9.30am to 5pm Wednesday. Closed on weekends and public holidays.
  • Foxton Service Centre, 92 Main Street, Foxton, open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturday to Sunday (hours may differ on public holidays).
  • Shannon Service Centre, Plimmer Terrace, Shannon, open 10am to 12 noon and 1pm to 5pm Monday to Friday, Saturday only 10am to 12 noon.

Processing of your application

Once your application has been received (and matched with your payment) it will be sent to the following agencies to enquire into and report on before the Horowhenua District Licensing Committee makes a decision:

  • NZ Police (local branch)
  • Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
  • Horowhenua District Council's Alcohol Licensing Inspector.

Please note that the statutory timeframe allowed for the processing of applications is 20 working days.

Form 8 - Public Notice

If required to do so by the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee, you must ensure that notice of this application in Form 8 is attached in a place that is easily visible and at eye level or next to the site to which this application relates within 10 working days after filing this application with the Committee.

Privacy Act 2020

Personal information contained in your application and any supporting information will be held by Horowhenua District Council. It will be provided to the District Licensing Committee, NZ Police, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand and Licensing inspectorate, and may be provided to the licensing authority, as part of the licensing process. Personal information and supporting information may be included in the District Licensing Committee's decision which will be publicly available.

FAQs

Do I need a Special Licence?

You need a Special Licence if you're holding an event:

  • where alcohol is supplied for sale (this includes koha payments)
  • where tickets are sold that include supply of alcohol in the ticket price
  • in a licenced premises outside of the normal licenced hours.
  • at a Club where people who are not Club Members are able to purchase alcohol.

Can I apply for more than one event?

Yes, you can apply for more than one event on an application, as long as they are of a similar nature, i.e. family events, work functions, sporting events, fundraising events etc.

You can apply for a series of events such as regular meetings, theatre productions, or sporting events, by selecting the Series of Events option on the form (for a period of no more than six months).

A run of similar but unrelated events, such as family events, does not count as a Series of Events. Please select the One-off Event option.

You may only apply for one large event (more than 400 people) per application.

How far in advance do I need to apply?

You must submit your application at least 20 working days before the first event.

Who needs to approve my application?

Your application will be circulated to NZ Police, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, and the Alcohol Licensing Inspector for comment, before the Horowhenua District Licensing Committee makes a decision.

Who’s Who?

The Applicant is the person(s) or organisation whose name will be on the licence and will receive any proceeds from alcohol or ticket sales.  This can be a person, or an organisation such as a company or a club.

The Responsible Person is the person(s) who will be in charge at the event. They must be over 20 years old and must not be drinking during the event. The Responsible Person may be a Manager but doesn’t have to be.

A Manager is a person who holds a Manager’s Certificate, authorising them to manage licenced premises.

What contact information do I need to supply?

We need full contact information for the Applicant and the Responsible Person.  For each subsequent Manager or Responsible Person we need their name, date of birth, and details of their Manager’s Certificate (if held).

Do I need a Manager’s Certificate?

A Manager’s Certificate authorises the holder to manage licenced premises.  The Responsible Person may be a Manager but doesn’t have to be.

Who will be in charge of the event?

There must be a person present who is responsible to ensure the Sale and Supply of alcohol is carried out in accordance with the terms of the special licence and The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.  This can be a Manager’s Certificate holder or Responsible Person(s) who must be present at all times during the event.

Do I need to provide food?

Food must be made available to people attending the event.  This must be of a substantial nature ie full meals, buffet meals, savouries, sandwiches, pizza, hot chips etc.  At least three different types of food must be provided.

Can I host a teenage party?

You need to be aware that the event should be registered with the Levin Police under their "Party Policy" and you should obtain advice from the Levin Police before proceeding.

Contact Us

Phone

(06) 366 0999

Email

enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz

Location

Horowhenua District Council
126 Oxford Street
Levin
5510
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