Buddle Findlay assists a wide range of clients in the hospitality industry to negotiate the various pitfalls that exist in New Zealand’s liquor licensing law, keeping them informed as the law changes, and advising them about other hospitality-related issues.

Clients and services

We provide advice at the ground level, assisting licensees and prospective licensees with licence applications and other licensing issues.  We provide strategic advice on the best licensing arrangements, and have participated in the development of the law, acting in numerous cases in the Liquor Licensing Authority, and appeals to the High Court and Court of Appeal.

We also provide advice to hospitality clients on employment and health and safety issues, commercial arrangements, and other relevant legislation including the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990.

Buddle Findlay acts for a number of different clients including:

  • Spotless Services (which caters to hospitals, airports, stadiums and other institutions)
  • Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand
  • Hotels, bars and restaurants.

Recent work

  • Advising on the liquor licensing and customs issues associated with the purchase of a major liquor wholesale and hospitality business
  • Appearing in the Liquor Licensing Authority on various matters including objections to licence applications, manager certificate applications and potential breaches of licensing conditions and the Sale of Liquor Act
  • Obtaining New Zealand’s first 24-hour licence for a supermarket
  • Obtaining the first on-licence in New Zealand to cover an entire stadium (Westpac Stadium in Wellington)
  • Advising a new hotel and restaurant on the best way to structure its licensing arrangements for its minibar, restaurant and room service
  • Applying for on, off and special licences and renewals for various premises, including private hospitals, airports, cafes, bars, function venues, stadiums and restaurants
  • Advising on staff issues including theft and breach of licensing conditions, trespass, security contracts, management and catering agreements, and lease arrangements
  • Assisting a bar to protect its trademark and naming rights
  • Advising on training arrangements in the hospitality Industry Training Organisation (ITO) sector

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