Training & resources
Simple conversations build better compliance.
Regular short conversations help staff understand what responsible alcohol service looks like during real shifts. Use these practical huddles as prompts for daily, weekly and monthly team discussions.
These workplace resources do not replace an LCQ, manager's certificate, formal legal advice or any qualification that may be required.
01
Daily huddle · 3–5 minutes before service
Daily huddle
A duty manager can choose a few questions before each shift to confirm that staff understand the essentials.
TONIGHT'S FIVE QUESTIONS
ANSWER
Make sure staff know who the responsible duty manager is and how to contact them during service.
CONFIRM
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Name of tonight’s duty manager
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Where they will be during service
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How to reach them quickly
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Who covers breaks
ANSWER
Run through the conditions that apply to tonight’s trading before doors open.
PROMPTS
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Permitted hours
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Licensed area
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Designated areas
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Any special conditions
ANSWER
18 years.
Follow up: what should we do if we’re not confident about a customer’s age?
A house approach of asking anyone who appears under 25 for approved evidence of age is a conservative checking practice. It does not change the legal purchase age of 18.
HOUSE APPROACH
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If the customer appears under 25, ask for approved evidence of age
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If unsure, ask the duty manager
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Never guess
ANSWER
If unsure, do not guess. Ask the duty manager.
PROMPTS
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Is it an acceptable form of evidence of age?
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Does the photo match the person?
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Is the date of birth old enough?
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Does the ID appear genuine?
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Has it expired where expiry is relevant?
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Has it been altered or damaged?
ANSWER
Then ask: what do we do if someone appears intoxicated? Staff should escalate to the duty manager and follow the venue’s responsible-service procedures.
DISCUSSION PROMPTS
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Speech
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Coordination
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Behaviour
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Appearance
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Ability to understand
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Changes over time
ANSWER
Talk through a refusal the team has handled recently and what worked.
PROMPTS
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Stay calm
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Be clear
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Avoid unnecessary confrontation
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Involve the duty manager
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Record incidents where appropriate
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Consider customer safety
ANSWER
Confirm what is actually available so staff can offer it confidently during service.
CONFIRM
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Free drinking water location
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Food available tonight
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Non-alcoholic and low-alcohol options
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Kitchen closing time
ANSWER
Use professional judgement and escalation rather than unsupported accusations.
DISCUSSION PROMPTS
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Who appears to be consuming the alcohol
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Whether anyone may be underage
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Whether anyone appears intoxicated
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Whether the purchase raises concerns
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When to involve the duty manager
ANSWER
Confirm where the incident record is kept and who completes it.
EXAMPLES
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Refused service
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Suspected false ID
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Significant intoxication concerns
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Disturbances
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Police attendance
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Complaints
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Other important compliance events
ANSWER
Make sure staff understand the relevant licence conditions for tonight.
CONFIRM
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Last alcohol sale time
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Drink-up period
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Closing procedure
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Who checks the premises
02
Weekly huddle · 10–15 minutes with the team
Weekly huddle
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What is the legal alcohol purchase age?
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What should you do if you are unsure about a customer’s age?
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What do you check on an ID?
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What do you do if an ID appears altered?
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Who makes the final decision if you’re unsure?
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What behavioural changes may suggest intoxication?
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When should the duty manager become involved?
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How can we slow or stop service safely?
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What alternatives can be offered?
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Where can customers access free drinking water?
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What food is available?
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What non-alcoholic drinks are available?
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How should staff respond if a customer becomes difficult after being refused service?
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What are our licensed trading hours?
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Where is alcohol allowed to be served?
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Are there any restricted or supervised areas?
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What specific conditions apply to this venue?
Conditions vary between licences — replace these with your own venue’s conditions.
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What should staff watch for when serving a large group?
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What happens if one member of the group appears intoxicated?
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What if there is concern alcohol may be supplied to a minor?
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When should service stop or be escalated?
On-licence weekly check
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Are staff monitoring intoxication throughout service?
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Are food and water readily available as required?
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Do staff understand ID procedures?
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Are duty managers clearly identified?
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Are licence trading hours understood?
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Are restricted or supervised-area rules understood?
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Are refusals handled consistently?
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Are incidents documented?
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Are staff monitoring group behaviour?
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Have there been complaints or noise concerns?
Licence conditions vary between venues. Replace the licence-condition questions with your own venue's conditions before using them with staff.
03
Monthly compliance check
A broader review for owners and managers.
Once a month, take a little more time to check whether the business, people and documentation remain current. Tick items as you review them.
REVIEW STATUS
Action required
A number of areas have not been reviewed this month. Work through the categories and note anything that needs attention.
0 REVIEWED57 ITEMS
The checklist is a practical internal resource and does not constitute a regulatory audit or guarantee compliance.
UPCOMING DATES
Premises licence expiry
[DATE]
Next annual fee
[DATE]
Manager certificate renewal
[DATE]
Training review
[DATE]
Next compliance review
[DATE]
04
Guides
Written guides live on their own page
Temporary authority, manager’s certificates, renewals, new applications, duty manager records and host responsibility — each one written out in full.
Read the guides05
Official resources
Official New Zealand resources
Links to the authorities and legislation that govern alcohol licensing. Liquor Compliance is not affiliated with these organisations.
OFFICIAL EXTERNAL RESOURCE
↗
Auckland Council
Licensing information, application forms and fees for the Auckland district.
OFFICIAL EXTERNAL RESOURCE
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ARLA
The Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority — appeals and national decisions.
OFFICIAL EXTERNAL RESOURCE
↗
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act
The governing legislation for alcohol licensing in New Zealand.
OFFICIAL EXTERNAL RESOURCE
↗
National Licence Register
Search current alcohol licences held across New Zealand.
OFFICIAL EXTERNAL RESOURCE
↗
Manager Certificate Register
Search current manager’s certificates.
OFFICIAL EXTERNAL RESOURCE
↗
ServiceIQ / LCQ information
Recognised Licence Controller Qualification training information.
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Want these huddles tailored to your licence conditions?
We can adapt the questions to your premises, trading hours and specific licence conditions.
Enquire about training