You will need to apply to the Selwyn District Council for an Event Permit if you are planning to hold an event in a public place and in some instances, private property. This ensures your event has first priority when using the area and that your activity is conducted in accordance with all current bylaws. It also ensures that any disruption to the community or environment is minimal and that the safety of all attendees is appropriately managed. You can apply for an Event Permit using the application form below.

Do you need an Event Permit?

If your event is on private property and may impact on the local community or the environment, please contact the Events Team for clarification on whether an Event Permit is required.

If your event is in a public place, such as a reserve or park, you will need an Event Permit if you answer yes to any of the below questions:

  • Is open to the public?
  • Has over 500 people in attendance?
  • Needs sole use of a public place?
  • Needs power and vehicle access?
  • Will involve food vendors, alcohol, excessive noise (i.e. amplified sound), pyrotechnics or fireworks?
  • Will have large structures or amusement devices, such as stages or marquees?
  • Restricts vehicle OR pedestrian traffic on a legal road (e.g. street, roads, cycleway, paths and squares)?
  • Impacts on the local community or the environment - if so, contact the Events Team for clarification on what may be required.
Documentation Requirements

We recommend that you have a copy of the following documentation at hand before making the application: Site Plan, Traffic Management Plan, Public Liability Insurance, Resource Consent Approval, Fireworks Certificate, Health and Safety Plan and any other supporting documentation. *bold items are required for all applications.

What is Public Liability Insurance?

Public Liability Insurance provides insurance for financial costs which come from damage to property, injury, or illness to a third party which is not covered by the Accident Compensation Commission (“ACC”). It protects you by covering financial costs should an accident occur during the event, including any potential legal costs. You may need public liability insurance for your event and provide documentation as part of your application for an event permit. Council understands that public liability insurance for events can be a barrier for community events, so have adopted an approach which balances the right of the community to access public places for events with the responsibility of Council to manage, mitigate, and minimise risks to keep people safe.

As a guide, you will need public liability insurance if your event:

  • involves alcohol
  • has fireworks or pyrotechnics
  • has large structures (e.g. ferris wheel or stage)
  • restricts access to footpaths, cycleways, roads, or any other legal road
  • needs exclusive use of the place you want to hold the event (e.g. ticketed event, no member of the public can enter)
  • has animals other than domestic cats and dogs
  • has inflatables (e.g. bouncy castles)
  • involves large vehicles (e.g. floats, tractors, trucks)

Subject to a risk assessment, you may need public liability insurance if your event:

  • has food vendors
  • is open to the public
  • has over 500 attendees
  • needs vehicle access or will use vehicles
  • will impact the local community or environment
  • has any small to medium structures (e.g. marquee)
  • requires power
  • has any other elements which could cause damage to property, illness or injury

If you are unclear whether you need public liability insurance or not, contact the Events Team for clarification on what may be required.

Timeframes

You should apply for an Event Permit at least six weeks prior to your event taking place. If you have not supplied all required documentation, your application may take longer to process.

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1. Set up an Event Application Account

2. Apply for an Event Permit

Contact events@selwyn.govt.nz for more information.