Booze ad signs up for debate
Alcohol watchdogs have urged councillors to stick with their “courageous” stance on alcohol advertising, as a possible rule change heads out for public feedback.
Yesterday, the Saxton Field Committee agreed to send a proposed change to its management plan to allow alcohol to be advertised at international cricket matches, out for consultation.
But, in the public forum before the debate, representatives from Alcohol Healthwatch and the National Public Health Watch urged the committee to stand by the position taken in 2021 when it banned alcohol advertising at Saxton Fields.
It comes after Central Districts requested an exemption to the rule so a Black Caps one-day international in December and two White Ferns T20 matches in March could go ahead.
Both Nelson City and Tasman District councils need to approve an exemption, but, in October, the Nelson City Council initially voted against allowing it, before reversing the decision a week later.
New Zealand Cricket has a sponsorship deal with Asahi Beverages NZ, which includes the brewer’s right to advertise alcohol at venues.
The December match marked the return of international cricket to Saxton Oval after a five-year absence, with 4484 turning out to watch the Black Caps take on Bangladesh. The economic benefit of the events to the region was estimated to be $2.5 million.
Now, Nelson Cricket has asked the two councils to review the joint Saxton Field Management Plan, saying the ban on alcohol advertising put this summer’s games in “jeopardy”.
“[NZ Cricket] would not have allocated the match to Nelson had they known of the policy. The allocation of future international matches to Nelson is unlikely if the policy is applied in a way that does not enable contractual commitments to be honoured,” Nelson Cricket chairman Andy Leonard wrote in a letter to the two councils.
The sports ground is overseen by the Saxton Field Committee, which has members from both councils.
At Thursday’s meeting, Hana Wilkinson health in all policies adviser at National Public Health Watch, said the management plan in 2021 had adopted a “courageous” stance on alcohol advertising.
“Courageous leadership like this is required if we want to see a reduction in alcohol harm [in] our communities ... We promote participation [in] community sport as a way for people to be active, healthy and socially connected.
“But these benefits have a potential to be undone when sporting organisations partner with companies who profit from products and practices that are harmful to health and wellbeing, including alcohol.”
Alcohol Healthwatch executive director Andrew Galloway said he admired the vision of Saxton Field as an inclusive place for everyone, and the people who adopted that policy would be disappointed with the debate happening now. “I don't know why alcohol holds such a powerful position over sport.”
He asked if it was possible to negotiate with New Zealand Cricket, so that Asahi’s alcohol free products could be promoted instead, particularly since alcohol advertising only made up about 5% of sports revenue.
He was asked by Nelson councillor Tim Skinner if he believed the level of advertising at the summer games in Nelson was acceptable.
In response, Galloway said he understood the advertising was minimal, and keeping it at a low level was a good result “if you do have to have it”.
Nelson City Council’s principal planner – parks and facilities Paul Harrington told the committee he was proud of the management plan, which showed “real leadership”, but NZ Cricket also had to be able to meet contractual obligations.
He had discussed the matter with other codes, as well as cricket, and was confident a change to the rules could be limited to international cricket.
The matter will now go out for public feedback before the committee makes a final recommendation on a rule change.