A study by the University of Otago has found that people with many liquor outlets close to their homes are more likely to be problem drinkers.
The study found that for each liquor outlet the risk of binge drinking in the surrounding 1km area rises by 4%.
Professor Jennie Conner says this shows that the concentration of alcohol outlets in one area is a public health issue.
She says the study confirms international research on problem drinking and the Alcohol Reform Bill needs to give communities more control over liquor licensing.
