Christchurch Medical Officer of Health v J & G Vaudrey Ltd - [2016] 2 NZLR 382

Sale of liquor — Licensing — Off-license application — Alcohol sales in supermarkets — Single area condition — Appeal against decision granting applications — Breach of natural justice — Whether breach of natural justice if relevant authority departing from submitted proposals — Nature of relevant body’s role in considering applications — Ability to apply conditions to application — Relevant factors in considering applications — Statutory interpretation — High Court Rules, Part 20.

Administrative law — Natural justice — Decision at variance with applications — No requirement to allow affected parties to be heard as to decision before it has been released — Sufficient that parties had previous opportunity to be heard or could proceed with appeals.

Statutes — Interpretation — Use of text and purpose of legislation — Use of external materials — Law Commission Reports — Cabinet Papers — Departmental Reports — Judicial role to ascertain intention of parliament.