Liquor Licensing - Manager's Certificates


This page explains the processes of applying for and determination of a manager’s certificate application under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.

You must meet the manager's certificate application criteria

Any person over the age of eighteen years may apply for a General or Club Manager's certificate.

The District Licensing Agency (Council) in determining your application will pay due regard to the following criteria:

  • Your character and reputation.
  • Any criminal convictions.
  • You have at least six months recent work experience in the hospitality and liquor trade.
  • You have recent experience in controlling licensed premises.
  • Your recent relevant training.
  • Any matters dealt with in the Police or a Licensing Inspector reports.
  • You have documented evidence of firm future manager employment prospects if your application is granted.
  • Manage any On-Licence, Off-Licence, Club Licence or Special licence premises; or
  • Operate any On or Off-Licence premises as a sole trader i.e., owner operator; or
  • Operate On or Off-Licence licensed premises as a partner in a partnership (Note: All partners must require a certificate); or
  • Operate On or off-Licence premises on behalf of a private trust i.e. family trust.

Applying for your manager’s certificate

To apply for your manager’s certificate download the Application for Manager's Certificate form from our Liquor Licensing forms link below. You must personally complete and sign the application.

You will need to apply for a General Manager's Certificate if:

  • You will be employed as the manager of On-Licence or Off-Licence premises; or
  • You will operate you On or Off-Licence premises as a sole trader i.e., owner operator; or
  • You are a partner in a partnership operating On or Off-Licence premises; or
  • You are a trustee or other person who will operate On or Off-Licence premises on behalf of a private i.e. family trust.

You will need to apply for a Club Manager's Certificate if you will be employed as the manager of Club-Licence premises only.

If you are also applying for an On or Off-Licence you may submit it together with your manager's certificate application provided they are both complete.

You must provide all information and details required

Your application for a General or Club manager's Certificate is required to be submitted in triplicate i.e., the completed original plus two copies of the application form and all supporting documents and include:

  • The application fee.
  • Photographic proof of your identity i.e., current passport or driving licence.
  • Written evidence of your employment history in the liquor industry.
  • Written evidence of the relevant liquor industry training you have received.
  • Written confirmation of your future employment prospects as a manager of licensed premises.
  • Documentary confirmation of your Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) qualification (General Manager's Certificate application only).
  • At least one personal reference attesting as to your character and reputation from a person who is not related to you, and who has personally known you for a period of not less than the previous 2 years.
  • Personal employment references from your current and former employers. 

Note.  Copies of certificates, diplomas, references etc will be accepted subject to the originals being produced for viewing by a Licensing Inspector when your application is lodged with Council's Customer Services Centre.

Criminal convictions must be disclosed

You are required to disclose all criminal convictions (if any) you may have.

Failure to provide these and any other details requested may result in your application being declined.

A criminal conviction does not mean automatic failure of your application. 

The number, nature and recentness of the conviction/s will influence the decision. Parking offences are excluded.

Your application is to be submitted to Porirua City Council

You must submit your manager’s certificate to the Council in whose district the licensed premises where you will be employed as a manager are located irrespective of where you reside.

For licensed premises in the Porirua City district file your manager's certificate application with Porirua City Council’s Customer Services Centre.

Inquiries will be made into your manager's certificate application

When the District Licensing Agency (Council) receives your application it will first check it for completeness.

Incomplete applications are returned immediately to the applicant without processing.

Complete applications are referred to the Porirua Police and a Council Licensing Inspector for their inquiries and report.

As part of the inquiry process a Council Licensing Inspector and possibly a Police Officer or both will personally interview you to:

  • Confirm the accuracy of the information provided in your application.
  • Assess your knowledge of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.
  • Assess your suitability to manage licensed premises.

References and other documents supplied with your application will be verified.

The District Licensing Agency may grant applications

Council’s District Licensing Agency may grant unopposed applications i.e., the Police and Licensing Inspector have objected to the granting of the application in their reports.

Either the Police or District Licensing Agency or both may oppose your application if you:

  • Fail to make full disclosure of all information required.
  • Provide false or incorrect information.
  • Fail to provide any additional information or documentation requested by either the Police or Licensing Inspector.
  • Fail without good reason to attend a Licensing Inspector or Police interview.
  • Fail to satisfy the Licensing Inspector or Police on your knowledge of the legislation and/or a manager's responsibilities under the Act.

Opposed applications are referred to the Liquor Licensing Authority

All opposed applications are referred to the Liquor Licensing Authority for determination.

When this occurs Council’s District Licensing Agency will forward the application with all accompanying documentation and the Police and Licensing Inspector reports to the Liquor licensing Authority for determination.

You will be notified when this occurs and the reason for it.  At the same time you will be supplied with copies of the Police and Licensing Inspector reports.

The Liquor Licensing Authority is then responsible for determining the outcome of your application.

As part of this process the Liquor Licensing Authority will convene a hearing to receive submissions and hear evidence from you and all or any of the following:

  • The Police and any witnesses they may call.
  • The District Licensing Agency and any witnesses they may call.
  • Any other objector/s.
  • Any person or persons acting on your behalf.

The Liquor Licensing Authority will notify you directly of the hearing date and venue. If you do not attend the hearing the Authority may determine the application in your absence.

Your manager’s certificate must be regularly renewed

Manager's certificates are issued initially for one year and are thereafter renewable for periods of three years dating from the anniversary date of your certificates original issue date.

Once you have your Manager's Certificate it is your responsibility to ensure:

  • The original copy of your certificate and all renewal notices are kept in a safe place.
  • A copy of your certificate and latest renewal notice are available on the licensed premises where you are a manager for viewing by Police or a Licensing Inspector when required.
  • You apply for renewal of your certificate by the due date.

Renewal reminder notices are not issued.

Manager's certificate application fees and charges

All liquor licensing application fees and other charges are set by government regulation.

The set fee must accompany your manager's certificate application when it is submitted to Council’s District Licensing Agency.

You may incur additional costs for:

  • Undertaking relevant training where required.
  • Obtaining relevant qualifications.
  • Any costs incidental to the preparation or your application.

You may pay using cash, cheque or Eftpos at Council's Customer Services Centre.

Links to other liquor licensing information

Legislation:

Porirua City Council links:

External links: