Industry groups have expressed support for proposed changes to liquor sale laws, stating that the changes align with business operations.
Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young said the reforms would simplify licensing processes and address issues raised by businesses. Spirits New Zealand supported the direction of the proposals but is seeking further changes.
The amendments are part of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill, announced by Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee and Regulation Minister David Seymour. The bill seeks to update parts of the existing regulatory framework.
“This is a common-sense approach to help improve our licensing system, although there is room to go further to simplify and streamline the process,” NZABC CEO Virginia Nicholls said.
Changes to licensing processes
One change would limit objections to licence renewals to individuals within a 1km radius of the licensed premises. Industry groups said this would give local communities a greater role in decisions while restricting objections from those without a direct connection to the area.
Retail NZ said objections have, in some cases, delayed licensing processes where submitters did not live or work near the premises. “The changes will limit who can make a challenge and will give applicants a right of reply, resulting in a fairer and speedier liquor licensing process,” Young said.
The bill also addresses cases where licence renewals have been declined due to changes in Local Alcohol Policies. The proposed amendments aim to ensure that businesses meeting compliance requirements are not required to meet new conditions due to local policy changes.
NZABC also supported allowing applicants to respond to objections in District Licensing Committee (DLC) hearings, both in writing and in person. The organisation noted that DLCs may impose conditions to align licences with local policies.
Regulation of delivery and identification
The proposals include changes to alcohol-delivery services, including rapid delivery within two hours. Delivery providers must verify recipients’ ages and intoxication status, and drivers must be at least 18 years old. Delivery hours would align with licensed retail trading hours.
The bill also proposes expanding accepted forms of identification to include government-approved digital ID. It would allow zero- and low-alcohol products to be displayed alongside alcoholic beverages in supermarkets, and extend ‘cellar door’ provisions to breweries and distilleries.
According to NZABC, drinking patterns in New Zealand are changing. Data from the New Zealand Health Survey shows that 83.4 per cent of people consume alcohol responsibly, with declines in measures of higher-risk drinking compared with 2016/17.
Calls for further reform
Spirits New Zealand CEO Robert Brewer said the current system results in inconsistent approaches. “In fact, we believe, in terms of the original purpose of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, the sections relating to licensing and the role of District Licence Committees are virtually broken,” he said.
Brewer said variation in implementation across regions has led to differences in business requirements. He proposed reducing the number of DLCs to support consistency and establishing criteria in law to define a ‘well-run’ business.
“In this way, we reduce the administrative burden on councils, licensing inspectors, police and business and promote better trading practices, thus supporting harm reduction,” Brewer said.
Retail NZ also supports allowing hairdressers and barbers to serve alcohol without going through a licensing process.
