New alcohol rules come to the party

New alcohol rules have been adopted for Waipā today, affecting how some licensed premises operate. There are also new alcohol ban areas introduced in public places, and upcoming fee increases for licence applications and renewals.

Waipā District Council sought community feedback on the Local Alcohol Policy, Alcohol Control Bylaw and Alcohol Fees Bylaw in August and September to help inform its decisions.

Consulting on the policy and two bylaws together allowed the community to review how alcohol is managed in Waipā all at once, said group manager district growth and regulatory services, Wayne Allan.

“The changes reflect the majority of submissions received and ensures council is doing its best to help reduce alcohol-related harm in the community.”

The Alcohol Control Bylaw restricts alcohol consumption in some public places around the district. The bylaw will come into effect from Monday, December 16 and includes the following changes:

• 24-hour alcohol ban at skateparks
• 8pm to 8am alcohol ban at playgrounds and cemeteries
• minor extension of the Cambridge and Kihikihi 24-hour alcohol ban areas

Another key change following the submissions includes an alcohol ban for Arapuni and Bulmer’s Landing Reserves, which will apply during daylight saving time between 9pm and 8am, and in winter between 8pm and 8am.

The bylaw does not prohibit people drinking or keeping alcohol in self-contained vehicles in the alcohol-ban areas, however. “This reflects feedback on the way people use the reserves,” Allan said.

“We tried to find a balance between discouraging anti-social behaviour while also understanding there are responsible people who love to pull up in campervans and enjoy these areas recreationally with a quiet drink or two.”

The Local Alcohol Policy affects how licensed premises operate by setting where, when and how alcohol can be sold, supplied or consumed.

One of the major changes that will come into effect on March 10, 2025, is a cap for off-licence premises (such as supermarkets and bottle stores), in the main shopping centres of Cambridge, Leamington, Te Awamutu and Kihikihi. Almost 75 per cent of submitters to the policy review were in support of the proposed caps for off-licences in these areas.

“These caps are to help manage alcohol-related harm by limiting the number of new places that sell alcohol in areas that are already sufficiently catered for,” said Allan.

The new Alcohol Fees Bylaw will see the licence fees for applications and renewals increase by 35 per cent in July 2025, and another 35 per cent on the original fees in July 2026.

“This may seem steep, but the current fees are set by the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Fees) Regulations 2013 and cover less than half of the costs incurred,” said Allan. “We believe it is only fair and reasonable for those who hold the licences to cover the majority of administrative costs, rather than our ratepayers.”

To view the full list of changes, maps and adopted policy and bylaws visit waipadc.govt.nz/alcoholreview.