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Manager's Certificates

It is a requirement of the Sale of Liquor Act that at all times when liquor is being sold or supplied to the public a duty manager is responsible for compliance with the Act. This includes enforcing the conditions of the premise’s liquor licence, monitoring the conduct of patrons, promoting responsible drinking and reducing alcohol abuse.

A person may not be appointed as a duty manager of any licensed premises unless that person holds a manager's certificate. The District Licensing Agency (DLA) at the council issues manager's certificates for the New Plymouth district.

Training providers

Club manager's certificate

This limits you to managing premises that hold a club licence or where a special licence is in force.

General manager's certificate

This authorises you to manage any licensed premise where an on licence, off-licence, club licence or special licence is in force.

Temporary/acting manager

If a certified manager is ill, absent, dismissed or has resigned the licensee may appoint either an uncertified temporary manager or an uncertified acting manager. Notification to the DLA is required and certain conditions apply.

Temporary acting manager form (One page 30KB PDF)

What qualifications do you need?

Applicants for manager's certificates will need to have completed bar manager training, which includes:

Unit 16705 - Host Responsibility
Unit 4646 - Knowledge of the Sale of Liquor Act

These units need to be hooked onto the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and then a Record of Learning sent to Hospitality Standards Institute to generate the nationally recognised Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ).

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How to apply for a manager’s certificate

Once you have the appropriate qualifications, and at least six months experience in the industry, you can make an application for a manager's certificate.

Manager’s certificate form (Four pages 411KB PDF)

Applications must be accompanied by:

Two copies of the application form.
The police questionnaire.
Relevant evidence of previous experience, e.g. a reference from the licensee(s) of the licensed premises where you gained your experience.
Evidence of relevant training and qualifications, i.e. a LCQ.
The application fee. Note: Training costs are additional to the manager's certificate fee.
A copy of your ID.

Note: For club managers, evidence of any involvement in the management and activities of the club is required but you do not need a LCQ.

A copy of the application is sent to the police and the district licensing inspector so that they may enquire into, and report on, the suitability of the applicant. Return to top

Renewing your manager's certificate

Manager's certificates are renewed every three years. You must apply to renew your manager's certificate 20 days before it expires.

You will need to show that you are still involved in managing the sale and supply liquor. A copy of your ID is also required.

The DLA forwards your renewal application to the police and Licensing Inspector for their reports. If there are no objections your certificate will be renewed. Otherwise it will be forwarded to the LLA for consideration.

Manager’s certificate renewal form (229KB PDF)

Training providers

Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT)
Bell St Campus
P O Box 956
New Plymouth
Phone: 06-757 3100

Licensing Services
Phone: 06-753 9201
Fax: 06-753 9207

Hospitality Management Learning Ltd
0800 765 228
The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
Private Bag 31914
Lower Hutt
Phone: 0800 650 200
Fax: 04-913 5308