Sale of Liquor Act

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 was passed on 18 June 2012.  The new law comes into force at various times during 2013, so changes to current law (The Sale of Liquor Act 1989) are gradual. 

From 18 June 2013 there are new licensing criteria and changes to objections to licences.  There are alco changes to applying for a licence or managers certificate.  From 18 December 2013 the remainder of the new law comes into effect.

You can learn more about the timing and transitional provisions at:  http://justice.govt.nz/policy/sale-and-supply-of-alcohol.

Sale of Liquor Act

The Sale of Liquor Act 1989 is the law governing the sale and supply of alcohol in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Object of the Sale of Liquor Act

"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."

Since the introduction of the Act in 1989, a number of amendments have been passed, covering such issues as:

• Purchase Age

• Drinking Under the Purchase Age

• Evidence of Age

• Sale of Beer in Supermarkets

• Sunday Trading

• Host Responsibility (Applications, Conditions, Promotions)

• Changes to the Liquor Licensing System

• Vineyards - introduced in 2004 this amendment enables vineyards to sell their own wine on Easter Sunday

• Licensing Trusts - introduced in 2004 this amendment enables Licensing Trusts to continue to operate

• Controlled Purchase Operations (CPOs).

Download copies and amendments of the Sale of Liquor Act
Sale of Liquor Act 1989 (pdf 363KB)
Sale of Liquor Amendment Act 2004 (pdf 110KB)
Sale of Liquor Amendment Act 2005 (pdf 68KB)