Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012

Sale and supply of alcohol generally - Licensing generally, requirements on licensees, and conditions - Kinds of licence and their effect

24: No obligation to serve

You could also call this:

“You don't have to sell alcohol to everyone, or let them drink on your premises.”

If you have a licence to sell alcohol, it does not mean you have to sell alcohol to anyone at any time. You also do not have to let people drink alcohol on your premises at any time. You should know that this rule is affected by the Human Rights Act 1993. This means the Human Rights Act 1993 has some influence over this rule about selling alcohol.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3339492.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > Consumer protection Business > Industry rules
Previous

23: Limitation on effect of sections 14 to 22, or

"Following some rules doesn't mean you can ignore other rules in the Act"

Next

25: Issue of second licence for premises already licensed, or

"Getting an extra alcohol licence for a place that already has one"

Part 2 Sale and supply of alcohol generally
Licensing generally, requirements on licensees, and conditions: Kinds of licence and their effect

24No obligation to serve

  1. A licence does not oblige its holder—

  2. to deliver, sell, or supply alcohol at any time or to any person; or
    1. to let any person consume alcohol at any time on the premises the licence is issued for.

      1. Subsection (1) is subject to the Human Rights Act 1993.

      Compare