Parliament passed the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Rugby World Cup 2019 Extended Trading Hours) Amendment Bill 2019 on 28 August 2019 to allow on-licence and club licence holders (licencee(s)) to be able to open outside of normal trading hours for the purpose of televising the Rugby World Cup 2019 set to start on the 20th September 2019.
To sell alcohol outside of normal hours a licencee must apply to the District Licencing Committee (DLC) for a special licence. In considering such application the DLC must be satisfied that a special type of event is taking place on the premises such as a guest speaker, having a band or organising a fundraising event etc.
Televising the Rugby World Cup does not fit into the type of events required by the DLC meaning that many local and rural bars and clubs would see their applications denied or would have to put together some type of special event that satisfies the DLC’s requirements. The cost to businesses in creating such event would be greater than the return. Parliament by 112 votes to 8 saw this as not only restrictive but unpractical for many business owners including members of the community wanting to enjoy the game in a social environment.
The Bill allows for easier processing and granting of special licence applications which will help minimise costs. To meet the DLC’s requirements for a special licence in accordance with the Bill the licencee will need to show the purpose of the application is to allow customers to watch a live televised game of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The DLC will impose amongst other the following conditions:
- Bars and clubs will be able to open 1 hour before each game is televised;
- if a televised game starts within 2 hours after the end of the permitted trading hours for the bar and club, the bar and club can stay open until the game starts and during the game;
- bars and clubs will be required to close for the sale of alcohol 30 minutes after the end of the game; and
- one-way door policies will not apply within 1 hour before the extension starts, during the extension, or within 1 hour and 30 minutes after the premises are required to close for the sale of alcohol.
Some applications however will not be granted in cases where recent variations to licence conditions have been made or if the holder’s licence has been suspended in the last 12 months. Licencees will also be required to notify Police and the local authority of its intention to extend hours as well as have in place noise management plans or other arrangements to avoid noise disruptions.
If you require any advice or further information on the matters dealt with in this publication please contact the lawyer at Farry and Co. who normally advises you, or alternatively contact:
Cornelius Botha
cbotha@farry.co.nz
09 353 6677
The information contained in this publication is intended as a guide only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Professional advice should be sought before applying any of the information to particular circumstances. While every reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, Farry and Co. does not accept liability for any errors it may contain.