Object to an Alcohol LicenceWhakahē i te tuku raihana waipiro

When a business applies for a new or renewed on-licence, off-licence or club licence, it is required to notify the public.

​Public notices for alcohol licence applications are posted in the local CHB Mail newspaper or the Hawke's Bay Today. Members of the public have 25 working days from when the licence applications are published to make an objection to Council.

What is 'greater interest'?

A person with a 'greater interest' may be a resident or business located in the same street as the proposed or existing business applying for an alcohol licence. Generally, someone who lives within one to two kilometres from the business applying for the licence will have a greater interest than the public.

Someone who is concerned about the effects of alcohol on the community in general but who lives in a different area, may not meet the criteria for objecting as a person with a greater interest.

Criteria for objecting to an alcohol licence application

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (section 105) outlines the only grounds for objecting to an application for a new or renewed alcohol licence.

The object of the act is that:

• the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol should be undertaken safely and responsibly; and
• the harm caused by the excessive or inappropriate consumption of alcohol should be minimised.

Objecting to a new alcohol licence application

In the event of a new owner taking over an existing licensed premises and its same terms and conditions, you can only object to the suitability of the applicant of the new alcohol licence.

In the event of all other new alcohol licence applications, you can object about:

• the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
• the suitability of the applicant.
• our Local Alcohol Policy.
• the days and hours when alcohol will be sold.
• the design and layout of premises.
• the other goods and services offered at the premises (excluding food and alcohol).

You can also object about whether:

• the applicant has the appropriate systems, staff and training to comply with the act.
• the amenity and good order of the locality would be reduced by the effects of issuing the new licence, to more than a minor extent.
• the amenity and good order of the locality are already badly affected by existing licences so that it is not desirable to issue any further licenses.
• the amenity and good order include consideration of noise, nuisance, vandalism, nearby sensitive sites such as schools, and the density of licensed premises in the area.

Objecting to a renewed alcohol licence application

In the event of all renewed alcohol licence applications, you can object about:

• the suitability of the applicant.
• our Local Alcohol Policy.
• the days and hours when alcohol will be sold.
• the design and layout of the premises.
• the other goods and services offered at the premises (excluding food and alcohol).
• the manner in which the applicant has traded.
• whether the amenity and good order of the locality would be increased by the effects of refusing the licence renewal, by more than a minor extent, including consideration of noise, nuisance and vandalism.

Please Note: Trade-related objections from other licensed businesses are not valid grounds for objection under the act.

How to make an objection 

To object to an alcohol licence application, you'll need to:

• notify us in writing that you wish to object and the reasons why (you must refer to the relevant criteria listed above).
• include your full name, address, email address and contact telephone number. Please be aware that a copy of your objection, including your name and street name, will be given to the applicant and made public through the hearing's agenda.

See Amohia Te Waiora's advice if you need assistance in preparing a written objection or preparing for a hearing.

Please file your objection with us within 25 working days of the public notice being published in the newspaper by:

• emailing customerservice@chbdc.govt.nz addressed to the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee; 
• post to the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee, PO Box 127, 4240; or
• submitting in person at our main Council office, 28-32 Ruataniwha Street, Waipawa 4210.

Once received, we will:

• send you an acknowledgement letter;
• send a copy of the objection to the applicant; and
• submit your objection to the Central Hawke’s Bay District Licensing Committee (DLC) for their consideration.

If the DLC believes the objection meets the criteria for objection, they will schedule a hearing and notify everyone involved. You don't have to attend the hearing but failing to appear to answer questions on your objection will limit how much weight the DLC will place on your objection.