General information about alcohol Off Licences, and the application form.

An off-licence allows the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises e.g. bottle stores and supermarkets. Some hotels and taverns may hold both an off and on-licence.

Forms

Forms for licence applications have been updated. Please ensure you use the latest version on this website.

Apply now

To apply online through Business Connect you will need to set up a RealMe 'Selwyn District Council' account (see below).  If you require any assistance please contact our Alcohol Licensing Administrators at Food and Health Standards Ltd on 03 365 1667

  1. Right click on Business Connect (select 'open link in a new tab')
  2. Login using your RealMe account. If you don’t have a RealMe account, you can follow the link to quickly create one.
  3. If it’s your first time logging onto Business Connect, you will need to create an account using your email address.
  4. Once you have you have done that, go to the Business Connect dashboard.
  5. lick the Alcohol License tab.
    Click the check eligibility button once you have read the information.
  6. Select ‘Selwyn District Council' in the 'Your Council' field.
  7. Complete the application form.
Note: The online form is administered by Business Connect; you can find their Privacy Statement online. Any Technical issues can be emailed to hello@businessconnect.govt.nz

Information Sheets

An information sheet is available that details how to make an application.

Local Alcohol Policy

Selwyn District Council has had a Local Alcohol Policy [PDF, 116 KB] in place as of 24th April 2017.

Requirements for Off Licences

Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act there are criteria that your business must meet before a new or renewed licence can be issued. These include the suitability of the applicant, the hours proposed, the design and layout of the premises, and whether the amenity and good order of the locality will be affected by the business. The application form details the information that needs to be provided as part of the application.

Types of Premises That Can Hold an Off Licence

The Act specifies which types of premises can have an Off-Licence. Premises that cannot have an off-licence include petrol stations, garages, conveyances, dairies and convenience stores. Grocery stores that mainly sell food products may have an Off-Licence.

Promotion and Display of Alcohol

There are strict rules on the advertising and promotion of alcohol outside the premises which mean you cannot advertise free alcohol, promote discounts of more than 25%, or offer prizes if customers buy alcohol.

Related Links

If you have any questions in regard to applying for an Off-Licence, please contact us.