Types of licences
On Licence – premise and conveyance
Issued to bars, hotels and restaurants, for a new business starting up, or a new owner taking over an existing premise.
On Licence (BYO endorsed)
This is for bring your own (BYO) restaurants. The requirements are the same as for a full On Licence, but a person with a General Manager's Certificate is not required to be appointed.
Off Licence
These are issued to bottle stores and supermarkets, with the same procedure as for an On Licence.
Club Licence
These are issued to sports clubs, golf clubs etc, with the same procedures as for an On Licence.
Before you make an application
While you are applying for a licence, you may need our advice. Please get in touch and make an appointment at least a day in advance to see us.
You should apply to Hutt City Council (your local District Licensing Agency) only if your business is based within the boundaries of Lower Hutt. This includes Wainuiomata, Petone and Eastbourne.
Apply for Certificate of Use
You will have to get a Certificate of Use from us prior to making a liquor licence application. This certificate is required to be attached to your liquor licence application.
- To make an application for Certificate of Use, fill in the following form:
Application for a Certificate of Use (PDF 82kb)
- Submit the appropriate fee for your application.
A Certificate of Use will not be granted for the following reasons:
- If the use of the premise needs a resource consent and it has not been granted
- If there is a pending Code Compliance Certificate to be issued for the building
Make an application
All liquor licence applications and supporting documentation need to be sent to us in triplicate, on A4 or A3 sized paper only. Documents must not be bound.
- When you are ready to make an application, you will need to fill in one of the following forms:
On Licence for Premise form (PDF 229kb)
On-Licence for Conveyance form (PDF 224kb)
Off-Licence form (PDF 229kb)
Club licence (PDF 221kb)
- Submit the following forms along with your application:
New Liquor Licence application form for advertisement (PDF 118kb)
Public Notice form (PDF 103kb)
Public notification
Once we have checked both the public notification forms, you are required to:
- Notify the Hutt News – advertised on two separate days
- Put public notification up on your premises (shop)
As soon as both your advertisements have been published in the Hutt News, you need to send us the newspaper page with the public notice in it.
Processing your application
Once we have received your completed application, we obtain reports from Police and Regional Public Health. We approve your application if no objection is received. If objections are received, the file is sent to Liquor Licensing Authority, and your application may require a hearing.
Renew your existing licence
We will send you reminders close to the licence renewal date. It is the responsibility of the applicant to apply for a renewal before the expiry date.
Renew a licence
All liquor licence applications and supporting documentation need to be sent to us in triplicate, on A4 or A3 sized paper only. Documents must not be bound.
- When you are ready to make an application, you will need to fill in the following form:
Application for Renewal (PDF 184kb)
- You need to supply us a statement that the building has an evacuation scheme or that it is exempt:
Evacuation Scheme for Renewal (PDF 78kb)
- You should submit the following forms along with your application:
Form to advertise for renewals or variations (PDF 123kb)
Public Notice form (PDF 103kb)
Public notification
Once we have checked both the public notification forms, you are required to:
- Notify the Hutt News – advertised on two separate days
- Put public notification up on your premises (shop)
As soon as both your advertisements have been published in the Hutt News, you need to send us the newspaper page with the public notice in it.
Processing your application
Once we have received your completed application, we obtain reports from Police and Regional Public Health. We approve your application if no objection is received. If objections are received, the file is sent to Liquor Licensing Authority, and your application may require a hearing.
How long will it take?
For both new and renewed licences, the process will take four to six weeks for uncontested applications. If the application is contested, the applications become subject to the Liquor Licensing Authority schedule.
How much does it cost?
Look up fees and charges to see what your licence may cost.