Auckland Council have adopted a new alcohol policy. The new rules include stricter off-licence trading hours and a two-year freeze on new liquor licenses in some areas.
- Bars, restaurants and other on-licences will be able to sell alcohol until no later than 4am in the central city, and 3am outside of the central city.
- 2-year freeze on new off-licences in central city and 23 other suburbs
- From 9 December bottle shops and supermarkets will not be able to sell alcohol after 9pm
Implications of the policy include stricter trading hours for off licences, meaning bottle shops and supermarkets across the region will not be able to sell alcohol after 9pm. There will also be a freeze on new off-licences for 2 years in certain suburbs.The LAP, which outlines the location, number and trading hours for alcohol businesses in different areas, was adopted by Auckland Council in August.
The policy will come into effect in two stages. The first changes, from16 September 2024, outline stricter rules for new off-licences opening in the central city and 23 other suburbs and a two year freeze on applications.
Changes to maximum trading hours will come in on 9 December 2024. From this date:
- Bars, restaurants and other on-licences permitted by the District Licensing Committee will be able to sell alcohol until no later than 4am in the central city, and 3am outside of the central city.
- Bottle shops and supermarkets across Auckland will not be able to sell alcohol after 9pm.
- Sports clubs and RSAs permitted by the District Licensing Committee will be able to sell alcohol until 1am.
The policy will not impact special licences for festivals and events. These will continue to be assessed by the District Licensing Committee, as they are now.