New rules limiting the hours that alcohol can be sold at licensed shops such as supermarkets and bottle stores in Auckland have come into force today.
The change is part of the city’s local alcohol policy, which was approved by Auckland Council in August in a push to reduce the level of harm caused by alcohol.
Councillor Josephine Bartley says it’s one of the major changes the policy brings in to help reduce alcohol-related harm.
“We know excessive alcohol can have a damaging effect on people’s lives, so we need to make changes that make a difference to this very real issue.
“Reducing the hours alcohol is available, as well as the number of places it can be purchased, means alcohol is less easy to access.
“There’s been a three-month grace period since the policy was adopted in August, to give businesses and their customers time to prepare for this change.
“We know they have been doing this and are grateful for the cooperation and understanding they have shown.”
Before its adoption, Auckland’s local alcohol policy went through a lengthy consultation process, including workshops with residents, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders.
“Communities told us they needed us to step in and do something about the harmful impact alcohol can have on whānau, friends and all Aucklanders,” Bartley says.
“We worked with them to shape a policy that would be impactful and remained fair and reasonable for businesses by putting them on a level playing field.”
From today, December 9, alcohol at licensed shops such as supermarkets and bottle stores cannot be sold after 9pm.
Bars and restaurants will be able to sell alcohol up until 4am in the city centre and 3am outside that area, as long as their licence permits them to do so.
Sports clubs and RSAs will be able to sell alcohol until 1am if they’re licenced to do so.
Bartley says having a local alcohol policy in place is a step towards bringing down levels of alcohol-related harm.
“It’s positive that, after so long, we now have a local alcohol policy in place.
“We can build on this, and it gives us a chance to address new issues as we need to.
“Any proposed changes to the policy in the future will also go through a public consultation process.
“This means, going forward, Aucklanders will get to have a say over alcohol rules in their neighbourhoods.”
Council staff will monitor the effect of the policy to check it’s having the desired impact.
They’ll report back once it’s been in place for 12 months.
