Freeze on new liquor outlets

Auckland bars will be able to stay open until 4am in the CBD, but there will be a two-year freeze on new retail liquor outlets in areas of the city where alcohol is a big problem.

These are among the decisions by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority after hearing appeals on Auckland Council’s proposed alcohol policy.

The authority rejected appeals by the police and others to reduce the maximum trading hours for bars and clubs to sell alcohol from 4am in the CBD and 3am everywhere else.

The authority also upheld a council proposal for a twoyear ban on new off-licences in areas where alcohol is a major problem and a ban on the sale of alcohol from supermarkets, grocery stores and bottle stores after 9pm.

Russell Gray, the Auckland branch president for Hospitality New Zealand, said the decision to stick to the 4am and 3am opening hours was sensible and preserves Auckland’s vibrant nightlife.

“Had the appeals to restrict hours even more been upheld, it would have had a devastating effect on the Auckland night-time economy, and on employment in the industry.”

Community and public health groups were thrilled that calls to halt the proliferation of alcohol outlets in Auck- land had been heard.

Maori public health provider Hapai Te Hauroa spokesman Anthony Hawke said communities had strongly voiced their wishes for tight restrictions on the availability of alcohol.

Alcohol Healthwatch executive director Dr Nick Jackson said about 75 per cent of alcohol sold in Auckland was from off-licences.

“There is overwhelming evidence that the number of offlicences in communities increases alcohol-related harm,” he said. “These negative effects are known to be significantly greater on our Maori and Polynesian communities.”