Object to an Alcohol Licence
Te Whakahē Raihana Waipiro
Any person may object to the grant or renewal of a licence.
Your objection must be filed with the Masterton District Licensing Committee within 25 working days of the first public notice appearing.
Follow this guide to objecting to an alcohol licence application.
Information for objectors - Changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (PDF, 335.2KB)
Criteria for Objection
The Sale & Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (section 105 and 131) outlines the following as the only grounds for objecting to the application for a new, or renewed alcohol licence.
Please note that trade-related objections from other licensed businesses are not valid grounds for objection under the Act.
New alcohol licence applications - new owner takes over existing licensed premises
You can object about the suitability of the applicant. This only includes situations where the new owner takes on the same conditions as the existing licence.
All other new alcohol licence applications
You can object about:
The object of the Act, i.e., 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.
- Suitability of the applicant.
- Relevant local alcohol policy.
- Days and hours when alcohol will be sold.
- The design and layout of any proposed premises.
Make an Objection
If you’d like to object to a new or renewed alcohol licence, you’ll need to:
- Notify the District Licensing Committee in writing that you wish to object and the reasons why (you must refer to relevant criteria).
- Make sure to include your full name, address, contact telephone number,and email address.
- Your objection must be filed with the District Licensing Committee within 25 working days of the first public notice announcing an application has been made.
Post to:
Masterton District Council
PO Box 444
Masterton 5840
In-person to:
Council office, 161 Queen Street, Masterton
Email to:
alcohol@mstn.govt.nz
What Happens Next?
When the Masterton District Licensing Committee receives your objection, they will:
- Send you an acknowledgment
- Send a copy of the objection to the applicant
If the District Licensing Committee believes that the objection meets the criteria of section 105 or 131 of the Act, they will notify all involved parties of a date and time for a hearing. You can choose not to attend the hearing, but your objection will have a greater effect if you attend the hearing in person and speak in support of your submission.
How to make an objection
See Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand information if you need assistance in preparing a written objection or preparing for a hearing.
The Wairarapa Community Law Centres can assist in preparing objections and preparing for a hearing.
Complaints About Existing Licensed Premises
To make a complaint about an existing licensed premise or the terms of a licence, please contact us on 06 370 6300 and provide specific details regarding your concerns.
