An update from Yachting New Zealand chief executive Steve Armitage: What proposed changes to Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act could mean for clubs
Dear members,
If you are not already aware, the Government has recently announced proposed changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act that will be of interest to many of our affiliated clubs. The proposed amendments will allow community and sporting clubs to apply for an on-licence, rather than being limited to a traditional club licence. Currently, clubs can only serve alcohol to members and their invited guests. Under the proposed rules, clubs could either retain their current licence or apply for an on-licence, enabling them to serve the wider public, similar to a restaurant or bar.
For some clubs, maintaining a club licence will remain the best option. For others, the change offers opportunities to attract new visitors, host events more easily, engage more broadly with the community, and strengthen financial sustainability. In a landscape of evolving operational and compliance demands, this added flexibility is especially welcome.
You can read more about last week's announcement here. We will continue to monitor progress on the legislation and keep you informed, particularly regarding application processes and compliance requirements.
I also want to remind you about the approaching deadline to re-register your club as an incorporated society. All incorporated societies, including many of our sailing and boating clubs, must re-register under the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022 by 5 April 2026 to avoid disaffiliation. The legislation introduces updated governance standards, clearer officer duties, and revised constitutional requirements.
Steve Armitage, the chief executive of Yachting New Zealand.
It’s important to note that uploading a new constitution alone does not complete the re-registration process. Some clubs have assumed they were re-registered when only the updated constitution had been filed. If your club has not yet re-registered, please email Ingrid Harder, Regional Development, Governance and Advocacy Manager at Yachting New Zealand, at ingrid@yachtingnz.org.nz. Ingrid can support your club’s re-registration process or review your constitution.
Even if you believe your club has completed re-registration, we strongly encourage you to check your status on the Incorporated Societies Register to ensure it has been processed correctly. You can check your registration status here and find guidance on re-registering here.
Acting now will help ensure your club meets the new requirements and avoids last-minute complications.
As always, if you have any questions or would like to discuss how these changes could affect your club, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Regards,
Steve
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