Sam MacKinnon: Hospitality NZ Head of Advocacy on the proposed changes to alcohol laws

2026-03-16

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A view the Government's proposed changes to alcohol laws is a needed re-balance for licence-holders. The Bill would only let people object to a premise's licence application, if they live or work in the same council area or live within one kilometre. It also gives applicants a right of reply to objections. Hospitality New Zealand Head of Advocacy told Ryan Bridge the current licensing process has led to some vexatious objections from those outside of the area. He says applications aren’t often declined b...

A view the Government's proposed changes to alcohol laws is a needed re-balance for licence-holders.

The Bill would only let people object to a premise's licence application, if they live or work in the same council area or live within one kilometre.

It also gives applicants a right of reply to objections.

Hospitality New Zealand Head of Advocacy told Ryan Bridge the current licensing process has led to some vexatious objections from those outside of the area.

He says applications aren’t often declined because of objections, but it does add unnecessary time and cost to the process.

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