Can changing alcohol rules protect our communities? Have your say

Could changing the way alcohol is sold and managed help reduce harm, improve health outcomes and make communities safer?

Those are some of the questions behind Far North District Council’s Draft Local Alcohol Policy, now open for public feedback. The draft policy draws on local information about alcohol-related harm, as well as feedback from communities and businesses, and a comprehensive survey of the public conducted last year.

The draft proposes changes to when alcohol can be sold, where new licensed premises can operate and the conditions that may apply to licences.

Aside from trading hours, most of the proposed changes in the policy are guidelines that may be applied to alcohol outlets on a case-by-case basis.

These include proposed restrictions on new alcohol outlets near schools, marae, treatment centres and places of worship, as well as proposed conditions covering alcohol advertising, noise control, crime prevention, crowd numbers and host responsibility.

In a statement, New Zealand Police says alcohol related harm is already having a significant impact in the Far North.

“In New Zealand, 84 per cent of alcohol is purchased at an off-licence. This is consumed in our homes, in our parks and in our streets. This is reflected in 2025 police statistics that show, in the Far North, police attended 981 incidents where alcohol consumption in public places contributed to police attendance.

“When the public thinks of alcohol-related harm, drink driving is the obvious offence that comes to mind. In the Far North, we know the rate of alcohol and drug-related crashes is 76 per cent higher than the national average. Whānau are dying on our roads because of alcohol consumption and Emergency Departments are overflowing because of injuries from alcohol consumption. These are issues that the Local Alcohol Policy seeks to address.”

National Public Health Service Medical Officer of Health, Dr Carrie Bryers, welcomes the council’s consultation on the Draft Local Alcohol Policy.

“The impacts alcohol has on our whānau and community is far-reaching, and place significant pressure on health and emergency services.

“Alcohol is linked to more than 200 health conditions, including cancers, heart and liver disease, alcohol intoxication, and injuries. In 2024, Northland had the highest rate of adult hospital admissions for conditions solely due to alcohol, excluding Emergency Department attendances.

“This consultation gives whānau and communities the chance to have their say on local alcohol settings and help shape a safer, healthier Far North.”

The council is now asking people across the district to read the draft policy and share their views on the proposed approach.

Have your say

Feedback is open until Sunday 16 November 2026.

Read the Draft Local Alcohol Policy and complete the online survey here.