0800 COURTS closes at 3:00pm 24 December 2025, for urgent matters (relating to family matter or bail conditions), please call 0800 253 425. 0800 4 FINES closes at 7:00pm, 24 December 2025. Our Contact Centres will reopen at 8:00am on Monday 5 January 2026. National Office (Aitken Street, Wellington) reception will be closed from 3:00pm on Friday 19 December, reopening at 8:00am on Monday 5 January 2026. For more information, see Court and Tribunal hours
Use this section to find our most popular topics under licensing and certification that we oversee.
To work as - or own a company doing - private security or investigation work you need to apply to the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority for a licence or certificate first.
The Alcohol Regulatory & Licensing Authority doesn't issue alcohol licences and manager certificates but you can appeal to the Authority if you're not happy with a district licensing committee decision.
Second-hand dealers and pawnbrokers can apply to the Licensing Authority of Second-hand Dealers & Pawnbrokers for a licence or certificate to do business.
Anyone who wants to run a prostitution business must hold a valid brothel operator certificate otherwise they could be fined.