Feedback open on three ways of tackling alcohol-related issues

Three ways of tackling alcohol-related issues in the community are now out for feedback, with Christchurch City Council proposing its Draft Local Alcohol Policy.

Any council can develop its own LAP in consultation with the local community. An LAP can set the number, location, and opening hours of licenced premises, such as bars, cafés and restaurants, supermarkets and bottle stores. These rules can apply across either the whole city and district or only in identified local areas.  

Christchurch’s Draft LAP was approved for consultation by the Mayor and councillors yesterday, and is now out for feedback until midnight on Sunday 18 May 2025. Have your say here.

Mayor Phil Mauger says the development of this Draft LAP has been in response to concerns raised by the community, and that the details have been informed by grassroots feedback and preferences as well as data.

“Over the last year we’ve gathered an enormous amount of insight from the community on how they see alcohol-related issues,” Mayor Mauger says.

“Staff came up with a number of possible measures we could take, which were tested with the community and important players like NZ Police, Te Whatu Ora, and industry and hospitality representatives.

“We think this version of the draft we’re going out with today is the best mix of approaches – we’ve designed it to strike a balance between managing the effects of alcohol availability in vulnerable communities, and not putting a damper on Christchurch’s vibrant culture and successful hospitality industry.”

The three proposals are:

• All off-licence retailers must stop selling alcohol at 9pm daily. This includes bottle stores and supermarkets.
• A freeze on new off-licences in high-deprivation communities.
• Restricting new bottle stores from setting up near addiction treatment/rehabilitation centres, secondary schools and primary schools.

“One big message that’s already come through is that local communities want a bigger say in licensing decisions – so if you haven’t already, now’s the time to get involved,” Mayor Mauger says.

Once the Council has considered the views of the community and stakeholders, heard those who wish to speak to their submissions, and considered the staff report, they'll decide whether to adopt the Draft LAP. The process is expected to be completed before the local elections in October 2025. Once a Local Alcohol Policy is adopted, it must be reviewed every six years.