Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill

What you might want to comment on

Who gets a say

The Bill would restrict who can object to alcohol licence applications to people living or working nearby.

Do you think only those within a set boundary should have a say? Or should iwi, communities, and public health groups continue to have their voices heard?

Access to alcohol

The Bill would expand where and how alcohol can be sold, including:

• Allowing some businesses (like barbers and hairdressers) to offer alcohol without a licence
• Making it easier for breweries and distilleries to sell directly to customers
• Allowing some venues to open outside normal hours for major televised events
• Allowing clubs to hold either a club licence or an on-licence
• Allowing some restaurants to apply for off-licences

Do these changes make sense for your community? Or could they increase exposure and normalise alcohol in everyday spaces?

Shifting the power in licensing decisions

This Bill would shift power away from communities by:

• Giving alcohol businesses more opportunity to push back on community objections
• Stopping local alcohol policies (LAPs) from being applied when licences are renewed

These changes make it easier for businesses to get and keep licences — and harder for communities to have their say.

Do these changes reflect what whānau want for their communities? Whose interests are being prioritised here?

Impact on whānau and communities

Alcohol is already a leading cause of preventable harm in Aotearoa, linked to violence, injury, and long-term health conditions.

When availability increases, harm tends to increase.

What impacts have you seen in your community? How might an increase in access affect whānau wellbeing?

Why this matters now

These changes are being proposed alongside a strong focus on economic growth. But increased alcohol availability comes at a cost to public health and community wellbeing.

We advocate that any reform should prioritise health, wellbeing, and equity.