This licence allows a club to sell alcohol for drinking on club premises. Alcohol can only be sold to club members, a guest accompanied by a member and a member of another club with reciprocal visiting rights.

Apply for a club licence

View our handy (external link)step-by-step guide(external link) to getting an alcohol licence to make sure you've got everything covered. 

Download and complete a Club licence application form. Club licences are issued for one year (a probation year) and then normally renewed for three years.

All alcohol licence applications require a Certificate of Compliance(external link) for the premises. You must include this with your application.

Please read the checklist on the application form to make sure you include all the extra documents we need with your application.  Incomplete applications will be returned.

This application needs a lodgement meeting and cannot be submitted online.

View the working days specified in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act that could affect application processing times. If your application is complete, there are no objections and all building requirements are met, club licences can normally be processed within four to six weeks.

View alcohol licensing fees. The fees for processing your application are non-refundable and must be paid when you apply for your licence. Most alcohol licensing fees are set by regulations. Any fees set by Council are subject to annual review with any changes taking effect on 1 July each year.

You will need to have an invoice from us before you can make your payment. This will be provided to you when you file your application documents. We can only process your applications once we have both the proof of payment of fees and the required application form and documents.

Payments can be made by cash or EFTPOS/credit card at a service desk or by internet banking. Internet banking payment account and reference details can be found on your invoice.

For internet banking, you will need to provide proof of payment that includes confirmation of the payment details (e.g. a screenshot of the completed transaction).

We can no longer accept payments by cheque.

New licence applications are received through a lodgement meeting.

You will need to make an appointment with an inspector to lodge your new licence application.

Under a club licence, you can only sell alcohol to authorised customers.  This is a condition on all club licences. Please refer to our Club information sheet [PDF, 73 KB] and Club staff training reminder tool [PDF, 96 KB] for guidance.

A club licence is different from a tavern or function centre licence and does not allow the sale of alcohol to the general public. If a club wants to sell alcohol to the general public a special licence is required for a specific event.

https://resources.alcohol.org.nz/resources-research/alcohol-resources/research-and-publications/national-guidance-on-alcohol-promotions-on-licensed-premises/

Amohia Te Wairoa - We're stronger without alcohol(external link) has some useful tools for clubs.

All club licences are required to comply with the requirements of the noise provisions under the Resource Management Act. 

Noise from premises must be below the level prescribed in the District Plan and any resource consent conditions relating to noise for that site and use. These often relate to keeping windows and doors closed and limits on the use of outside speakers or amplified entertainment.

You may need to speak with an acoustic consultant who can recommend options to meet compliance requirements.

Once operating, any noise complaints may result in a noise control officer attending and issuing an excessive noise direction (END notice) for the noise to be reduced immediately. Non-compliance with an Excessive Noise Direction may result in an infringement notice.

More information about noise control(external link).