Tono raihana waipiro kaupapa motuhake Apply for an alcohol special licence for events

When you need an alcohol special licence

You need an alcohol special licence if you are:

• selling alcohol at an event
• charging an entry fee or collecting donations where alcohol is being supplied for free.

Examples include:

• wine tastings
• private functions (birthdays, weddings)
• farmers' markets
• festivals
• concerts
• sporting events
• bus trips
• ticketed events
• functions in public venue where public access is not restricted.

Large events

If you are hosting a large public event, contact us at alcohollicensing@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to arrange a pre-application meeting or to speak to an alcohol licensing inspector.

Special licence for events spanning more than one day

You can get a special licence for an event that takes place over several days, as long as the event is the same in size, form and substance each day, and is all related.

This includes:

• an event that takes place over several consecutive days, like a music festival or food and wine show
• an event that is spread out over time with gaps in between, like a sports tournament that takes place over four consecutive Saturdays.

If you have a number of events that are unrelated to each other, or different in size, form and substance, you will need to make individual applications for a special licence for each event - i.e. one application form per event.

What is not covered by an alcohol special licence

We can only issue special licences for events where alcohol will be sold.

We cannot issue a licence for events where alcohol is being supplied free of charge by the host or for BYO (Bring Your Own) events.

For more information about these types of events, visit the New Zealand Police website.

You need to apply for a special licence at least 20 working days before your event, not including the day we receive the application and the day of your event.

If you submit your application less than 20 working days before your event, you need to include a reason why you did not know you needed a special licence earlier.

What you need

• Details of the type of event you are having and days and hours you are selling alcohol.
• The number of people you expect to attend the event.
• How you will promote responsible drinking (an alcohol management plan) for events of more than 400 people - visit Write a host responsibility policy.
• Completed application form.
• A copy of the site layout or area and marquees if the event is outside.
• A copy of the floor plans highlighting restricted or supervised areas and the main entrance.
• An application for landlord consent if it is a council-owned building, facility or land.

Get a copy of the application form 

​Community venues

Email communityledapprovals@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to apply for landlord consent for all council-owned venues:

• managed by community partners (community-led) and
• operating under a community centre management agreement that is not a lease.

For example, Franklin and Rodney rural halls.

Be a responsible host

Our Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) requires special licence holders to have a Host Responsibility Policy at events where alcohol will be consumed on site at the event.

Your Host Responsibility Policy must include the steps you will take to:

• prevent intoxication (being drunk)
• not serve alcohol to minors (under 18 years)
• actively promote and provide substantial food options and low and non-alcoholic beverages
• serve alcohol responsibly or not at all
• arrange safe transport options for customers
• actively manage the premises at all times.

You must address all of these points in your policy.

This is required by the LAP and by the Auckland District Licensing Committee (DLC).

Get a copy of the special licence host responsibility policy template 

Your fee will be based on the size and number of events you are planning to have.

Online

Visit Ways to pay online for information on all payment options.

In person

Bring your completed application form and supporting documents to one of our libraries with council services and pay by:

• EFTPOS
• Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

Your application will be reviewed by:

• New Zealand Police
• National Public Health Service - Northern Region (formerly known as Auckland Regional Public Health Service)
• one of our alcohol licensing inspectors.

District licensing committee makes the decision

We will forward your application to the District Licensing Committee who will make the final decision.

If your application is approved, we will get your special licence to you. If declined, you will not receive a refund.

We will let you know if NZ Police or National Public Health Service - Northern Region oppose your application.

We will contact you with the decision before your event. If there are any issues we will let you know.

Visit Food stalls and fundraising for information on other licences you may need.