New regulations expected to take effect by December will prohibit retailers in Auckland from selling alcohol after 9pm.

The ban is part of a Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) developed by Auckland Council, the New Zealand Herald reported. 

Applications for new bottle stores in the central city and 23 other areas will be rejected for two years unless they meet a very high threshold.

As per the new rules, supermarkets and bottle stores cannot sell alcohol after 9pm, while bars, restaurants and other on-licences cannot sell liquor after 4am in the central city and 3am elsewhere.

The LAP was triggered by the death of South Auckland liquor store owner Navtej Singh, who was shot while working at his store in June 2008.

Following nearly eight years of legal battles with the country’s two supermarket giants – Woolworths and Foodstuffs – Auckland City Council is set to introduce the LAP before the end of this year. 

The Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority approved the policy last week, and the mayor and councillors are expected to give their final consent on August 29.

There will be a three-month grace period before the ban officially takes effect.

Council GM of policy Louise Mason told the Herald that the LAP aims to minimise alcohol-related harm while balancing fair and reasonable business requirements.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown added that the new rules do not target licensed businesses but wholesale outlets causing drunken trouble on the streets.