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.
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.
If you require more information or assistance with licensing processes, fees payment options information, or have a question or concern about an existing premise:
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.
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.
If you want to sell or supply alcohol, you must hold a current alcohol licence.
Allows you to manage any licensed premises.
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.
A schedule of fees relating to alcohol licensing applications and renewals.
Members of the public can object to an application for an alcohol licence in some cases.
Creating a responsible drinking environment and looking out for your customers.
Business with on-licences or club licences must have food available whenever they are open and selling alcohol.
Applications for alcohol licences (new and renewal) must be notified to the public.
It is illegal to drink alcohol in public places in certain areas of Christchurch. This helps to keep our city safe and welcoming.
Latest information for alcohol licensees and duty managers.
Information on Council local alcohol policies.
The role of the District Licensing Committee is to consider and determine all new and renewal applications.
Christchurch DLC Annual Reports to the Alcohol Licensing Regulatory Authority (ARLA) in Wellington.
The Christchurch Alcohol Action Plan includes strategies and actions for the non-regulated environment aimed at reducing alcohol harm across Christchurch.