Diligent Auckland publicans who got in early to secure extended liquor licences during the Rugby World Cup face being left thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Before MPs fast-tracked a new law on August 27 allowing the sale of booze for the early morning games, publicans hoping to open for World Cup business had to pay for special licences. Costs ranged from $207 to $575 depending on the size of their venue.
In Auckland there were 41 applications for World Cup trading - five were granted and the council estimated it banked $18,423 in fees.
Brett MacLean, owner of Viaduct Harbour sports bar The Fox, estimated the combined bill for applying for two special licences - each valued at $575 - plus time associated with the application and stationery, had cost him more than $2500.
MacLean lodged his applications while doing humanitarian volunteering work in Tanzania with his wife, forcing him to spend a week in an internet cafe to complete the process.