Whakatane Liquor Licensing
Whakatane District Council is required to provide facilities and services to operate a Licensing Agency to enforce the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.
Sale of Liquor Act 1989
The Sale of Liquor Act came into effect on 1 April 1990. It has enabled an increasing number of liquor outlets to open, often for greater/wider hours of trade, and has also given local communities more say on how alcohol should be supplied in their area.
The Whakatane District Council is required by statute to provide the facilities and services to operate a Licensing Agency for the purposes of enforcing the Sale of Liquor Act.
The object of the Sale of Liquor Act includes the statement:
"to establish a reasonable system of control over the sale and supply of liquor to the public with the aim of contributing to the reduction of liquor abuse, so far as that can be achieved by legislative means …"
The Whakatane District Licensing Agency therefore has a role to play in the reduction of liquor abuse through its responsibilities and obligations under the Act.
The Council believes that the key to achieving the aims of the Act is the promotion of responsible attitudes and a mature approach to liquor consumption, to both licensees and the public.
The Whakatane District Licensing Agency carries out its role in conjunction with the Police and the Public Health Service. Whilst the Liquor Licensing Authority has overall responsibility for liquor licensing, these three regulatory agencies are responsible for the day-to-day monitoring and management of liquor issues in Whakatane district and therefore work closely together and with the industry and other relevant groups.
For more information you can email: Liquor Licensing Manager