Parāoa Brewing appeals licence decision

Parāoa Brewing Co has confirmed it will appeal the District Licensing Committee’s decision not to renew its tavern licence, and in the meantime owner Zenice Gujarathi says the Stanmore Bay venue will continue trading until at least December, and hopefully longer if a stay is granted. 

The restaurant and live music venue, which employs 11 staff, has become popular since opening, hosting bands, charity fundraisers and community events. 

Gujarathi says he is committed to keeping live music on the Coast while working to resolve noise concerns, and says he has tried his utmost to cooperate with the only complainants, a couple living near the venue. He said he had met them “once or twice” and made himself available by phone and text message during events if music levels were too high. 

The venue has engaged sound specialists, set an 80-decibel cap on equipment, and was adding soundproofing in stages as fast as finances allowed, he says.

“We want to be good neighbours and I am trying to do the right thing.”

At a January meeting with the complainants, the couple appeared open to compromise, but went on to pursue their formal objection. 

Council records show that since 2024 Parāoa has been subject to several Excessive Noise Directions and two infringement notices. In March 2024 a $500 infringement was issued for failing to comply with a noise direction. In September 2024 a $750 infringement followed when a Council meter recorded 65dB (decibels)  outside a residence after 10pm Sunday. The permitted night-time level at a business interface is 45dB. Conversely, many other complaints were not upheld. Noise monitoring by the licensing inspector in March 2025 suggested levels “often about 80dB” during live bands, but these were taken with a phone sound app. Such apps can give indicative results but are not certified to the legal standards required for enforcement.

The only public objections for the licence renewal came from the one household. The complainants said the weekend music caused them “sleepless nights”. They have lived at their home for three decades, well before the venue opened. Spent $8000 soundproofing their property, and continued with their objection as they remained concerned about compliance once the abatement notice expired.

The licence inspector suggested a 10pm noise restriction could help mitigate noise concerns.

However, the objectors did not want the venue shut down, stating: “If the liquor licence [is] to be renewed, we would like the relevant authorities to take remedial actions to solve the above concerns, so we could have a reasonably peaceful life here in Whangaparāoa.”

Under the Auckland Unitary Plan, the maximum permitted noise at business interfaces is 55dB LAeq between 7am and 10pm, and 45dB LAeq at night. LAeq refers to the “equivalent continuous sound level,” meaning the average noise over a period of time, adjusted to reflect how the human ear hears sound. 

The complainants had requested no media contact.

What do different decibel levels sound like?
Noise is measured in decibels (dB). The scale is logarithmic, so a 10 dB increase sounds roughly twice as loud to the human ear.

• 45dB – about the sound of a quiet library, gentle rainfall, or a calm home at night.
• 65dB – similar to normal conversation or background chatter in a café.
• 80dB – like busy traffic, a vacuum cleaner, or standing next to a garbage disposal.
• 100dB+ – rock concerts, chainsaws, or machinery at close range.