Apply for Manager's Certificate

If you are applying for an On, Off or Club alcohol licence, you must have a certified Duty Manager who has both a Licence Controller Qualification and a Manager’s Certificate.

Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ)

To apply for or renew a Manager's Certificate, a Licence Controller qualification must be held.

The Licence Controller qualification covers two unit standards. Successfully completing these unit standards demonstrates knowledge of:

the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and its implications for licensed premises
host responsibility requirements as a duty manager of licensed premises.

Find Licence Controller Qualification Training Providers

If you have the Licence Controller qualification, but it refers to the Sale of Liquor Act 1989, it is still valid provided you completed the online Licence Controller Qualification Bridging Test between 18 December 2013 and 31 January 2017.

Apply for a certificate

To apply for a Manager’s Certificate you must:

have a Licence Controller Qualification
be 20 years or older
have at least three months full-time experience working in a licensed premises selling alcohol in New Zealand.

The application process

Step 1.Complete application form

Complete the new manager's certificate application form:

New Managers Certificate Application Form(PDF, 178KB)

Include the following:

A copy of your Licence Controller Qualification
A copy of your Licence Controller Qualification Bridging Test certificate (if your Licence Controller Qualification refers to the 1989 Act)
Employer reference
Character reference (not from your employer or a family member)
CV outlining evidence of your work experience
Details of any convictions you may have

Step 2.Submit application and fee

You can submit your application and application fee by email, post or in-person. You can pay by cash, eftpos or credit card.

Alcohol licences certificates fees

If submitting application by email or post, you can call us with your payment details.

Phone: 09 430 4200

By email: mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

By post:

Whangarei District Council
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

In-person

Te Iwitahi
9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays
Summer holiday closedown: Closed from 4:00pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024 and reopening at 8:00am on Monday 6 January 2025

Ruakākā service centre
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays
Summer holiday closedown: Closed from 4:00pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024 and reopening at 8:30am on Monday 6 January 2025

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Renew certificate

A new Manager's Certificate is issued for 12 months. A renewal application is then generally renewed for three years.

Renewal applications must be made before the expiry date of your certificate. If you do not renew it before it expires, you will need to apply for a new Manager's Certificate.

Renewal process

Step 1.Complete renewal form

Complete the renewal of manager's certificate application form and submit it to us.

Renewal of Manager Certificate Application Form(PDF, 70KB)

Include the following:

A copy of your existing Manager's Certificate
A copy of your Licence Controller Qualification
A copy of your Licence Controller Qualification Bridging Test certificate (if your Licence Controller Qualification refers to the 1989 Act).

Step 2.Submit application and fee

You can submit your application and application fee by email, by post or in person. You can pay by cash, eftpos or credit card.

Alcohol licences certificates fees

If submitting application by email or post, you can call us with your payment details.

Phone: 09 430 4200

By email: mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

By post:

Whangarei District Council
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

In person

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Change of manager

A certified manager must be on duty at all times when alcohol is being sold or supplied to the public. If the certified manager is ill, absent, dismissed or has resigned, a licensee can formally appoint a temporary or Acting Manager.

You are legally required to give us notice of the appointment, or termination of the appointment, of any manager, Temporary Manager, or Acting Manager.

Notice must be given within 48 hours of the appointment or termination being made.

It is not necessary to notify us if the appointment will not exceed 48 hours, however it is recommended that such appointments are recorded in a daybook, or log book, along with the reason for the appointment.

Complete a s231 Notice to notify us of the management change.

Notice of Management Change form (s231 notice)(PDF, 285KB)

Register of managers

You must hold a register (list) of all the certificated managers you use at your premises. This must be available for Police or Inspectors to view at all times. You can create your own register or use our template.