We’re reviewing Tauranga’s Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) and we want to know what you think about the changes we’re proposing that may affect when and where you can buy alcohol.
While many people consume alcohol responsibly, harm caused by the excessive or inappropriate consumption of alcohol impacts our communities. A LAP is one way of helping to reduce alcohol harm in our community.
Current situation
Last year we developed a draft LAP, which was open for public consultation between 17 November and 20 December 2021.
After considering the submissions (in June 2022), Council decided to revise the draft policy and carry out further community consultation in response to the issues raised by submitters.
All LAPs are required to be updated every six years to meet the provisions of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
What we’re proposing now
The key changes included in the revised draft LAP, following the 2021 consultation, are:
- changing the final alcohol sales time to 3am from the proposed 2am for all on-licensed premises (such as bars and nightclubs) in the central city;
- removing the one-way door provision (allowing patrons to leave licensed premises but not enter or re-enter during specified times);
- changing the opening sales time to 10am instead of 7am for all off-licensed premises (such as bottle stores and supermarkets);
- no new on-licensed premises to be established in industrial zoned areas;
- no new licences issued for bottle stores located within suburbs where alcohol is likely to have greater impact on the community; and
- introducing a range of discretionary conditions for all off-licensed premises.
The proposed changes to the revised draft LAP aim to reduce alcohol related harm.
Here’s how the proposed policy has changed throughout the LAP consultation process.
| Current policy |
First proposed changes
(draft LAP) |
Revised proposed changes
(revised draft LAP) |
| One way door entry from 2am |
One way door entry from 1am |
No one-way door policy |
| Off-licences can sell alcohol from 7am |
Off-licences can sell alcohol from 7am |
Off-licences can sell alcohol from 10am |
| No location restrictions for on-licensed premises |
No location restrictions for on-licensed premises |
No new on-licensed premises to be established in areas zoned industrial |
| No location restrictions for off-licensed premises |
No location restrictions for off-licensed premises |
No new bottle stores to be established in areas with a deprivation index of 7 or more |
| 3am final alcohol sales time for on-licence in the city centre |
2am final alcohol sales time for on-licence in the city centre |
No change proposed (final alcohol sales time for on-licences in the city centre proposed to remain at 3am) |
| No discretionary conditions included for off-licensed premises |
No discretionary conditions included for off-licensed premises |
A range of discretionary conditions included for off-licensed premises |
Research report
Council prepared a research report to gather information to inform the development of the draft LAP.
The report provides a range of information including information on current licences, community and demographic information, information on alcohol related problems. You can read the report below.
Local Alcohol Policy Background Report 2021 (2mb pdf)
Next steps
Following consultation, there are still more steps to go through before a policy is approved and implemented. This includes:
- After feedback has closed, hearings will be held before submissions are considered by the Committee.
- Once a provisional policy is in place, there is opportunity for anybody who previously submitted to appeal the policy.