A special licence is the licence you apply for when alcohol will be sold or supplied at a specific event that is not already covered by a permanent licence — a wedding at an unlicensed venue, a food and wine festival, a fundraising dinner, a market, or a New Year party where you charge entry. This guide covers when you need one, how to apply, and the deadlines that catch people out.
What Is a Special Licence?
Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, a special licence authorises the sale and supply of alcohol at an event or series of events. It is separate from the on-licence, off-licence, and club licence categories, and it is issued for a defined date, time, and place with conditions tailored to that event.
There are two types:
- On-site special licence — alcohol is consumed at the event (most weddings, festivals, and functions)
- Off-site special licence — alcohol is sold at the event to be taken away, for example a tasting stand selling bottles at a food show
Do You Actually Need a Special Licence?
You need a special licence if:
- Alcohol will be sold at the event; or
- Alcohol is “available” and you charge an entry fee, or ask for a donation or koha to get in
You generally do not need one if: the event is genuinely private (the public cannot get in) and you are giving the alcohol away, or guests bring their own. A wedding at a private home with no bar sales is usually fine. A wedding at a hired venue where a caterer runs a paid bar is not — that needs a special licence (or the venue's own licence).
If in doubt, check. Selling alcohol without the right licence is an offence under the Act, and councils do monitor advertised events. It is far cheaper to confirm your position early than to have an event shut down.
The 20 Working Day Rule (and the Christmas Trap)
A special licence application must be filed with the council for the area where the event will be held at least 20 working days before the event. Working days exclude weekends, public holidays, and the period from 20 December to 15 January.
That holiday exclusion is where summer events come unstuck. If your event is on, say, 10 January, counting back 20 working days — skipping the 20 December to 15 January block entirely — puts your deadline in mid-November. Many councils recommend allowing well over the minimum for December and January events, and for large events.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1 — Confirm the venue and date
You apply to the council where the event is held, not where you are based. Lock in the venue, date, and finish time before you start.
Step 2 — Line up a certified manager
A holder of a current Manager's Certificate must be responsible for the sale and supply of alcohol at the event. If you do not have one on your team, factor in the time to get one.
Step 3 — Prepare your supporting documents
- Completed special licence application form (on-site or off-site)
- A site or floor plan showing the licensed area, bars, and exits
- An event management / alcohol management plan
- A host responsibility policy (food, low- and non-alcoholic options, water, transport)
- Evidence you can use the venue (booking confirmation or owner's consent)
- Proposed hours, expected numbers, and security arrangements
Step 4 — Lodge and pay the fee
Submit the application and fee to the council at least 20 working days out. The fee is set by a risk-based system — small, medium, and large event bands based on attendance, duration, and the type of event.
Step 5 — Agency reports
Your application is referred to a licensing inspector, the NZ Police, and the Medical Officer of Health. They may recommend conditions or, occasionally, oppose the application. Responding well to their feedback is often what determines whether an event goes ahead as planned.
Step 6 — Decision and conditions
The DLC issues the special licence with conditions — typically covering hours, the licensed area, signage, security, and host responsibility. Comply with every condition on the day; breaches can jeopardise future applications.
One Licence for a Series of Events
A single special licence can cover a series of events for up to 12 months from the date it is issued. If you run a weekly market, a regular supper club, or a season of home games, applying once for the series is far more efficient than applying event by event.
Common Mistakes That Delay Special Licences
- Lodging fewer than 20 working days out — the council can simply decline to process it
- Forgetting that 20 December to 15 January does not count
- No named certified manager for the event
- A vague or missing alcohol management plan
- No food or non-alcoholic options in the host responsibility plan
- Underestimating attendance, which changes the fee band and the conditions
How Liquor Concepts Can Help
We prepare and lodge special licence applications across New Zealand — for weddings, festivals, corporate functions, fundraisers, and event series. We draft the management plan, assemble the documentation, deal with the inspector and Police, and make sure your application is in on time. See our full licensing services or get in touch for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special licence for my wedding in NZ?
If your wedding is at a venue that already holds an on-licence, the venue's licence usually covers it. If it is at an unlicensed venue — a hall, a barn, a private property, a park — and alcohol will be sold (for example, a cash bar run by a caterer), you need a special licence. If you are simply providing the alcohol free to guests at a genuinely private event, you generally do not.
How much does a special licence cost in NZ?
Special licence fees use a risk-based system with small, medium, and large event categories. The band depends on the number of people, the duration, and the nature of the event. Your council's website lists the current fee for each category. A licensing consultant can help you work out which band your event falls into.
How long does a special licence take to be approved?
You must lodge at least 20 working days before the event, and that is roughly how long a straightforward application takes. Complex or large events, or applications that attract agency concerns, take longer — so lodge as early as you can, especially over the summer period.
Can one special licence cover multiple events?
Yes. A special licence can be granted for a series of events over a period of up to 12 months from issue. This is useful for regular markets, event series, or a run of functions at the same venue.