New rules to help reduce the harm caused by alcohol are set to take effect in Tāmaki Makaurau.
From 9 December, off-licences such as bottle shops, supermarkets and other shops that sell alcohol to take away, will no longer be able to sell alcohol after 9pm in a change introduced under Auckland’s new local alcohol policy.
Councillor Josephine Bartley is chair of the region’s Regulatory and Safety Committee and says getting to this stage is an important milestone in helping to reduce alcohol-related harm and anti-social behaviour.
“This change has been a long-time coming. Communities have been very clear that reducing the harm alcohol can cause to Aucklanders, their friends and families truly matters to them.
“There’s also a significant safety aspect to this. Across Tāmaki Makaurau, alcohol-related crime and disorder is at its worst between 9pm and 1am. Evidence suggests most alcohol in New Zealand is sold at off-licences and drunk at home or other public places. Preventing alcohol from being purchased late at night simply means it’s less accessible to be consumed during this time.
“The policy has received a huge amount of public support. There was applause in the council chamber when it was adopted.”
The local alcohol policy was adopted unanimously by Auckland’s mayor and councillors in August 2024.
Louise Mason, General Manager of Policy at Auckland Council says businesses and the public played a vital role in shaping a fair and reasonable policy that could help reduce levels of alcohol-related harm.
“We heard from businesses that supported this change during the policy’s consultation period. Some were supportive of this change as it applies to all off-licences, and so keeps things fair and can be safer for staff members that work late at night.
“The changes under the local alcohol policy have been introduced in stages to give businesses and their customers time to prepare. We’ve been keeping businesses informed since the policy was adopted in August.”
What will change?
From 9 December, there will be changes to the hours that alcohol can be sold at licensed shops, bars, restaurants and clubs.
At licensed shops, such as supermarkets and bottle shops, alcohol can be sold no later than 9pm.
Licensed bars and restaurants will be able to sell alcohol up until 4am in the city centre, and 3am outside of the city centre, as long as their licence currently permits them to do this.
Sports clubs and RSAs will be able to sell alcohol until 1am if they are licensed to do so.
The policy will not impact trading hours for special licences for festivals and events. These will continue to be assessed by the District Licensing Committee, as they are now.
