District Licensing Committee

Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (the Act) the District Licensing Committees' (DLC) role is to consider and determine all new and renewal applications, whether opposed or unopposed.

Christchurch City Council has approved the following people as list members of the Christchurch District Licensing Committees:

• David Blackwell for a period of five years from 23 November 2020.
• Merelyn Redstone for a period of five years from 23 November 2020.
• David Ivory for a period of five years from 23 November 2022.
• Lana Shields for a period of five years from 23 November 2020.
• Greg Clapp for a period of five years from 23 November 2022.
• Tracey McIlraith for a period of five years from 23 November 2022.
• Moazzem Hossain for a period of five years from 23 November 2022. 

The Chief Executive on the Council's recommendation has appointed the following of the members as Commissioners of the Christchurch District Licensing Committees:

• David Blackwell for a period of five years from 23 November 2020.
• Merelyn Redstone for a period of five years from 23 November 2020.
• David Ivory for a period of five years from 23 November 2022.

Commissioners have the functions, powers and duties of chairpersons of the Christchurch District Licensing Committees.

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 permits a Commissioner sitting alone to determine uncontested applications. Any contested application is dealt with by way of a public hearing. More information on upcoming public hearings and agendas.

All licence applications are required to be publicly notified. The public can object to an application for an alcohol licence if they have an interest greater than the public in general. If there are no objections the application may be granted without a public hearing. If there are objections a public hearing will be held unless the objection is deemed vexatious or based on grounds outside the scope of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, the objector does not require a hearing, or the application is withdrawn.

In considering any application for a licence, the DLC must consider various criteria. The decision-makers cannot take into account the impacts of the licence on business conducted under any other licence or other matters not covered by the criteria.

District Plan consent requirements must be met before a licence is applied for.