Auckland’s long-fought local alcohol policy is showing promising results after its first year.
Following almost a decade of legal challenges, the policy came into force in 2024. It introduced measures to reduce alcohol-related harm, like tougher licensing rules and shorter trading hours for businesses selling alcohol.
Councillor Josephine Bartley, chair of Auckland Council’s Regulatory and Safety Committee, says while it’s still early days, the results in the first annual report are extremely encouraging.
“Early signs suggest the policy is having a positive impact on reducing alcohol-related harm. Although it is likely to be most effective over the longer term as a tool for preventing harm, the data suggests we’re moving in the right direction.
“That said, there is still work to do. Alcohol harm remains a significant challenge for communities and frontline services. No single measure can address this issue entirely, and continuing to work together with our colleagues at Health NZ and Police will be critical in continuing to tackle alcohol-related harm across our communities,” she says.
Alongside the significant impact alcohol has on communities, whānau and individuals, the total cost of alcohol-related harm in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2023 was estimated at $9.1 billion.
Data suggests a downward trend in alcohol-related harm
Police and health data captured in the annual report suggests a steady decline in alcohol-related harm since 2023, including harm sustained in the peak late-night hours and in the city centre.
Police data shows alcohol-related harm incidents in Auckland have been trending downward since peaking in 2023. In 2025 there were seven per cent fewer reported incidents than in 2024. Anecdotally, Police also saw fewer aggravated robberies of bottle shops, which historically occurred most frequently between 9pm and 11pm.
National Public Health Service Medical Officer of Health Dr June Leung says while there are limitations around the data, alcohol-related presentations at Auckland City Hospital appear to show similar trends.
“Early analysis indicates rates of alcohol-related emergency department presentations at Auckland City Hospital were lower in the year after shorter trading hours for alcohol outlets came into effect, compared to the year before. While we can’t say if this is directly due to the LAP, it is an encouraging observation and another step toward minimising alcohol-related harm in our communities,” she says.
Community feedback also suggests positive early impacts. Community members said the policy gave them a stronger ability to influence alcohol licensing decisions in their local areas.
Feedback captured by Alcohol Healthwatch in mid-2025 also found early signs the alcohol policy is contributing to reduced alcohol-related harm in Auckland.
Executive Director of Alcohol Healthwatch, Andrew Galloway, says, “I am reassured that at this early stage the data is indicating a reduction in alcohol harms. At the same time, I am not surprised. The research evidence has been conclusive for decades – when we reduce the availability of alcohol, a reduction in harm will follow.
“What we heard from community members when we asked for feedback last year was very positive. While the policy may have meant a very small inconvenience for a few, most noted improvements such as less noise, less crime and violence, improvements for children and generally, and an appetite for even more measures,” says Andrew.
Among businesses, Auckland Council licensing and compliance officers reported strong compliance with the policy.
Louise Mason, General Manager of Policy at Auckland Council says the policy measures are grounded in evidence.
“The correlation between increased alcohol availability and a greater risk of alcohol harm is well established, so reducing the times that alcohol can be sold and preventing new bottle shops in areas with a high concentration are evidence-based ways of reducing alcohol-harm.
“We are grateful to businesses for getting behind the policy – we know that many have had to make changes and appreciate that they have worked with us to do so,” she says.
More change to come
Local alcohol policies must be reviewed every six years, allowing time for strong evidence and longer-term data to be gathered to inform changes.
Some improvements have already been identified, such as reviewing the areas where off-licence applications are restricted in future. Currently, tougher rules for new off-licences apply to areas known as ‘neighbourhood centres’ based on the older, 2013 version of the Auckland Unitary Plan, as updating this while the policy was in development could have triggered another round of delays, lengthy legal battles (and further legal costs).
Now the policy is in place, Auckland Council is gathering data to look at this and other ways it can be strengthened.
Notes for editors:
- Auckland Council’s Local Alcohol Policy came into full effect on 9 December 2024.
- The Local Alcohol Policy regulates where, when, and how alcohol can be sold in Auckland, in support of community aspirations.
- Licensing inspectors have monitored off-licence premises which were subject to a new closing time of 9pm on 9 December 2024. Compliance with this new requirement was very high.
- Alcohol Healthwatch factsheet includes ideas from community members to reduce the high toll of alcohol harm.
Case study:
New off-licence application rejected in high-risk area
The new policy gave the District Licensing Committee the confidence to decline an application to open a new bottle store in Manurewa, within one of the ‘neighbourhood centres’ in the 2013 Auckland Unitary Plan. All three regulatory agencies (Auckland Council’s Licensing Inspectorate, Police, and the Medical Officer of Health) opposed the application. It also had 49 public objectors.