Marlborough’s new Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) 2025 comes into effect on Sunday, February 1 this year.

There are some changes involving the sale of alcohol, supply and consumption that people need to be aware of said Council’s Chief Licensing Inspector Karen Winter.

“On licence premises that previously were able to open until 3am will now have to close at 2am plus they will have a one-way door policy from 1am which means you can’t enter after that time,” she said. “Off licence premises now have to finish sales by 10pm instead of 11pm.”

In July 2024 Council confirmed it wished to have an LAP that reinforced the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act in ensuring the safe and responsible sale, supply and consumption of alcohol, and minimising alcohol-related harm.

Mrs Winter said the motivation for policy change had come from the Marlborough community and a lot of work was done in the pre-consultation process including meeting with Police, Health NZ, stakeholders and other agencies.

Council received 14 submissions to the draft LAP with 10 speaking at the hearing.

“The hearings sub-committee considered all the submissions,” she said. “A reduction of the On Licence trading hours was requested by both Police and Public Health during the development of this policy to assist in the minimisation of alcohol related harm. It’s a balance between providing places for people to purchase and consume alcohol alongside reducing exposure times to alcohol.”

The new LAP took effect from 1 November last year except for the changes in trading hours and the one-way door policy which is effective from 1 February 2026, to give time to notify licensees.

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