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Alcohol

Many people like to have a drink when they celebrate a special occasion or socialise. Licensing controls regulated drinking environments. Misuse of alcohol, including excessive and inappropriate consumption, however, can lead to alcohol related harm.

Christchurch City Council, the Police and Community and Public Health have a responsibility to control how alcohol is sold, supplied and consumed. Hosts, retailers and alcohol suppliers also need to ensure they and their staff have the right training and the correct licences so guests and customers can enjoy alcohol responsibly and within the law. 

Public notification of licence applications

Applications for alcohol licences (new, renewal, and variations) need to be notified to the public by publication of a public notice. The public notices for all applications in the Christchurch City Council area (including Banks Peninsula) are published on the public notice register.

Members of the public can object to an application for an alcohol licence in some cases. Find out how to object to an alcohol licence application.  

Alcohol Licensing in the Community [PDF, 1.1 MB] also has useful information about what to do if you have a particular concern or a problem with licenced premises. You can do this through the Council's general report a problem or ask a question pages.

Contact us, we're here to help

If you require more information or assistance with licensing processes, fees payment options information, or have a question or concern about an existing premise:

  • phone the Council Alcohol Licensing Team on 03 941 8999 and ask to talk to a Technical Officer
  • email alcohollicensing@ccc.govt.nz
  • post to PO Box 73013 Christchurch

Separate from objecting to a licence application there are other ways in which members of the community can contact Council to raise concerns or problems you may have with existing licenced premises [PDF, 1.1 MB], such as noise, nuisance, vandalism or specific promotions.

Updates for licensees

Currently, all Council Service Desks (including Civic) are closed to the public from 23 March 2020.

It’s important to us that we keep application processes operational, so you can keep trading and so we can meet out legislative timelines. 

Please refer to the attached information notice on how to file an application and make invoice payments [PDF, 50 KB]. 

Our main contact is by phone and email remain the same during this period. We thank you for your patience during this time. We will endeavour to respond to any questions or applications in a timely manner.

Check out the latest tri-agency newsletters for updates and information for licensees.

You can now complete and submit Notice of Duty Manager Appointment/Change forms online. 

Please use the most up-to-date version of our application forms by downloading the form you need directly from this website.  The last update was completed in January 2020.

Alcohol Licences

If you want to sell or supply alcohol, you must hold a current alcohol licence.

On-licence
Club licence
Off-licence
Temporary authority
Special Licence for events
Certificate of Compliance (Alcohol)
Processing your licence application
Renew your licence
Variations to Alcohol Licences
Designations
Preliminary enquiries and lodgement meetings

Manager's certificate

Allows you to manage any licensed premises.

Licensed Controller Qualification
Apply for a manager's certificate
Renew your Manager's Certificate
Notification of duty manager appointment or change

Timelines and trading days

Defines working days and sacrosanct days that regulate time periods when you can apply for a licence and which days alcohol can be sold on licenced premises.

Alcohol licence fees

A schedule of fees relating to alcohol licensing applications and renewals.

Objecting to a grant of a licence

Members of the public can object to an application for an alcohol licence in some cases.

Host responsibility and alcohol promotions

Creating a responsible drinking environment and looking out for your customers.

Supplying food

Business with on-licences or club licences must have food available whenever they are open and selling alcohol.

Alcohol licence public notification

Applications for alcohol licences (new and renewal) must be notified to the public.

Alcohol bans

It is illegal to drink alcohol in public places in certain areas of Christchurch. This helps to keep our city safe and welcoming.

Christchurch tri-agency group newsletter

Latest information for alcohol licensees and duty managers.

Alcohol Policy

Information on Council local alcohol policies.

District Licensing Committee

The role of the District Licensing Committee is to consider and determine all new and renewal applications.

Annual Reports to ARLA

Christchurch DLC Annual Reports to the Alcohol Licensing Regulatory Authority (ARLA) in Wellington.

Christchurch Alcohol Action Plan

The Christchurch Alcohol Action Plan includes strategies and actions for the non-regulated environment aimed at reducing alcohol harm across Christchurch.