Manager's certificates

Every holder of an on-licence, off-licence or a club licence must appoint a manager.

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Apply for a new manager's certificate

When to apply

• Be 20 years or older
• Hold current employment in a licensed premises
• Have six months experience in a licensed premises in New Zealand (if you do not have six months experience, your application will be put on hold until you do)
• Have a valid work permit for New Zealand
• Hold a Licence Controller Qualification.

How to apply

• Current photo identification.
• One reference from your current employer – stating dates of employment and a full description of your duties with reference to your direct involvement in the sale and supply of alcohol. Please note all references must be dated and signed.
• If you do not have six months experience dealing directly with the sale and supply of alcohol in New Zealand, you will need to provide one or more additional references from a previous New Zealand employer (if applicable). If your previous employer was outside New Zealand then you must provide a character reference from someone in New Zealand.
• Copy of your Prescribed Qualification - if you do not have your certificate then you must provide evidence that you have completed the Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ). Your manager's certificate will not be issued until we receive a copy of your LCQ certificate. Do not attach your original certificate.
• Copy of Work Permit (if applicable) – this should be a photocopy of your current visa in your passport.
• Copy of your manager's certificate (only required if you previously held a managers certificate and it has expired, or if you have a certificate issued in another district).
• If you have previously worked in bars in Australia, please include a copy of your RSA certificate.

Application process

• The applicants suitability to be a manager;
• Any convictions recorded against the applicant;
• Any experience, in particular recent experience, that the applicant has had in controlling any premises for which a licence was in force (in New Zealand);
• Any relevant training (in particular recent training) that the applicant has undertaken;
• Evidence the applicant holds the prescribed qualification;
• Any other matters raised by the police or alcohol inspectors reports.

Appointing a Temporary Manager

Where a manager is ill or absent for any reason (e.g. dismissed or resigns) the licensee may appoint a person as a temporary manager who does not hold a manager’s certificate for up to 2 working days. Note: Only the licensee can do this not a manager. The appointee must within 2 working days apply for a manager’s certificate if they wish to continue working as a manager of a licensed premises. If no application is received, then the appointee must not work as a manager. If you are appointing a temporary manager for more than 48 hours, you must give notice to the District Licencing Committee and Police using the 'notice of management change' form. You'll find this in the 'Notice of Appointment' section below. Close

Appointing an Acting Manager

1. Where a manager is ill or absent, for any period not exceeding 3 weeks at any one time; and
2. To allow a manager to take annual leave for a period not exceeding a total of 6 weeks in 12 months.

If you are appointing an Acting Manager you must give notice to the District Licencing Committee and Police using the 'notice of management change' form. You'll find this in the 'Notice of Appointment' section below.

Note: Only the licensee can do this not a manager.

Notice of Appointment

If you appoint a new, acting or temporary manager (for more than 48 hours), or if you terminate a manager’s appointment, you have to tell us within 2 working days. The notice must be completed in full, include all relevant information regarding the appointment, and be signed by the licensee, general manager (or equivalent) and emailed to the Police and District Licensing Committee. You'll find the email addresses at the bottom of the form below. No notice is required for the appointment of a temporary manager for less than 48 consecutive hours. The District Licensing Committee may within 5 working days of receiving the notice of the appointment of a temporary manager or acting manager, notify the licensee that the appointment is not approved. The licensee must terminate the appointment within 5 working days of the decision.