22 Mar 2015

Auckland ponders off-licence restrictions

1:41 pm on 22 March 2015

Off-licences throughout Auckland may be unable to sell alcohol after 9 pm at night.

The council has been considering a new local alcohol policy, which would give it the power to set its own rules regarding the number, location and opening hours of outlets.

If adopted, the policy would override law changes enacted in 2013, which allow off-licences to sell alcohol until 11pm.

Chair of the policy hearings panel, councillor Bill Cashmore, said the priority in reducing the hours is to reduce alcohol-related harm.

He said responsible drinkers are organised and plan ahead, but the council's concerned about people who make inappropriate and spontaneous decisions after drinking.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs