Administration of the Sale of Liquor Act

The Liquor Licensing Authority (LLA) consists of three or four persons appointed by the Governor-General, of whom one must be a District Court Judge and acts as Chairman of the Authority.

Also appointed, under the State Sector Act 1988, is a Secretary of the Licensing Authority and such other employees as are considered necessary for the efficient carrying out of the functions of the Authority under the Sale of Liquor Act.

The principal functions of the Authority are as follows:

• Consider and determine such applications for the granting of, or renewal of, premise licences and managers' certificates referred to it by any District Licensing Agency (DLA).
  
• To consider and determine appeals from decisions of a District Licensing Agency.

For the purposes of the Sale of Liquor Act each local authority is also the District Licensing Agency for its district.

The principal functions of a District Licensing Agency are as follows:

• Consider and determine such applications for the granting of, or renewal of, premise licences and managers' certificates, that have not been opposed.
  
• Consider and determine applications for temporary authorities and special licenses.

The principal administrative officer of the local authority is the Secretary of the District Licensing Agency.

The local authority has the power to delegate such of its powers and duties under the Act as it considers necessary.

In relation to the Wanganui District Council, the 'Hearings Committee' of elected Councillors has been delegated the duties of the District Licensing Agency, and the position of D.L.A Secretary has been delegated to the Manager Environmental Services.

The District Licensing Agency must also appoint at least one Inspector.