1. Before an application is notified

Find out about licence applications in your neighbourhood

Keep up to date with licence applications in your community. Some Councils have an online system whereby you can register to stay alerted – e.g. Auckland applications, whilst others may place current applications on their website, e.g. DunedinHastingsWellington. Also keep a look out on the windows of local shops and premises.


Gather your evidence

Think about all of the evidence that you can use to support potential objections in your community. Remember that you can only object in relation to the criteria in the Act. See our guide to the relevant sections of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act for objecting to a liquor licence application.

SECTIONS OF THE LAW RELEVANT TO OBJECTING TO A LIQUOR LICENCE APPLICATION

You may want to collect evidence whenever you have an opportunity – you don’t need to wait until an application for a new licence or renewal of an existing licence to collect evidence.  It is useful if you always document any alcohol-related incidents in your community.  Keep your eyes open and make use of the incident log below to build a portfolio of evidence of alcohol-related harm and negative effects on amenity and good order of your neighbourhood.

It is a good practice to start collecting evidence right after there are problems and you are concerned about the issue around a licensed premises. Use the incident log to help you.

This list may help you consider amenity and good order effects, but you could think of other examples. 

EXAMPLES OF GOOD ORDER AND AMENITY EFFECTS

It is useful if you always document any alcohol-related incidents in your community. You can use this incident log to help you.

Click here for an incident log

To assist you in preparing your incident log, here is an example